Meteorological conditions affecting cattle production in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece

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Published: Dec 19, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15218
Keywords:
Climatic factors catde productivity
G. E. VALERGAKIS (Γ.Ε. ΒΑΛΕΡΓΑΚΗΣ)
Institute of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination
Abstract

This paper presents a study of the climatic factors (temperature, relative humidity, wind, precipitation) affecting catde production in the area of Thessaloniki, the main dairy-farming region of Greece. Data was collected from 1990-1999 and was classified in zones, day-types were created and indexes and scales were used in order to study the annual and seasonal effects of climate. From this study, it was confirmed that high temperatures and high relative humidity are the most important factors affecting cattle productivity in the area. The intensity and duration of such conditions are high. Moreover, it is not low temperature per se, a relatively rare phenomenon, that affects catde performance during winter but the relatively strong and cold, mainly north-northwest winds, combined with high relative humidity.

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