Impact and Management of Thermal Stressors on Cattle

Dear Colleagues,

The impact of thermal stressors on cattle has been extensively investigated for some time, and although our knowledge and understanding continues to be developed, managing cattle to reduce the impact of thermal stressors remains challenging. These challenges will continue to persist in future years, particularly when considered in conjunction with climate change. In future years, the greatest challenges for cattle and other species housed in outdoor environments will be managing the increased ambient conditions, extreme weather events, and variation in seasonal weather patterns. Furthermore, if the forecasted climate change predictions are accurate, global warming is likely to have a significant impact on the stability and sustainability of intensive livestock production enterprises worldwide. Combined, these emphasize the importance of further studies investigating the impact of thermal stressors in cattle. As such, we invite colleagues to submit manuscripts that explore aspects of thermal challenges on cattle, that may or may not be considered in conjunction with alleviation strategies. We invite original research and review articles that investigate the impact of acute and chronic thermal challenges on animal growth and productivity, homeostatic mechanisms, homeorhetic trajectories, body temperature regulation, metabolic functions, reproduction, health, immunity, and welfare. Submissions investigating the genetics of thermotolerance and genetic selection will also be considered.

Dr. Angela Lees
Dr. Gene Wijffels
Dr. John B. Gaughan
Guest Editors

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