Tips of Tropical Livestock for Staying Healthy On Global Warming Conditions

Global Warming was a condition where there was a process of increasing the average temperature of the atmosphere at the sea and on the land. The average ambient temperature lately increased until 0.6 degree Celsius compared with the average temperature at 20 years ago, even the temperature rise of the earth’ surface expected to rise steadily to achieve 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius by 2100. 

 

So said by Prof. Dr. Ir. Dewi Apri Astuti, MS, Professor of Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in the Press Conference pro Oration titled ‘Effort to Increase the Energy Efficiency Utilization of Tropical Livestock in the Face of Global Warming / Upaya Peningkatan Efisiensi Pemanfaatan Energi Ternak Tropis dalam Menghadapi Pemanasan Global.’

 

 “Not just humans who suffer from the effect of global warming, the livestock would also feel the change. Why the livestock should also be taken into account? Not because they contribute to the fulfillment of the supply of the animal protein,” said Prof. Dewi in her initial presentation. 

 

The impact of global warming towards this livestock should be fastly anticipated, Prof. Dewi presented the research result that the sheep which was maintained at the hot temperature with the comfortable temperature produced the difference in body heat production. 

 

“There is a waste of energy which is wasted in sheep maintained at a high temperature around 13 percents,” said Prof. Dewi. 

 

Prof. Dewi Apri Astuti offered the solution for the efficiency of energy utilization of the tropical livestock through the suppression of heat loss which could be done in several ways.

 

Firstly, the selection of energy dense food rich in soluble carbohydrate and fat. Secondly, the arrangement of the feeding management with the low-fiber of the alternative legume forage provision on the optimal dose and the feeding fibrous done at night at a more comfortable temperature. 

 

Thirdly, the attention to the extra energy requirement of the cattle grazing in the daytime. One of them, by running the livestock welfare as providing protection in the form of shade trees in the pasture. Fourth, the attention to the condition of temperature, humidity and air circulation of the comfortable cage. Besides it was noted that the livestock density that facilitated the desipasi of body heat. (man)