Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows

Background: Dairy cows exposed to heat stress have reduced milk production, milk quality, and conception rates, leading to lower profits. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of heat stress according to Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the milk production of Korean Holstein cows. Metho...

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Main Authors: Jongil Jeong, Seokhyun Lee, Kwi-ryong Park, Jisu Kim, Mirae Kim, Hyeonho Lee, Minji Seo, Jiyeon Han, Gyeonglim Ryu, Daehyun Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2728&vmd=Full
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author Jongil Jeong
Seokhyun Lee
Kwi-ryong Park
Jisu Kim
Mirae Kim
Hyeonho Lee
Minji Seo
Jiyeon Han
Gyeonglim Ryu
Daehyun Kim
author_facet Jongil Jeong
Seokhyun Lee
Kwi-ryong Park
Jisu Kim
Mirae Kim
Hyeonho Lee
Minji Seo
Jiyeon Han
Gyeonglim Ryu
Daehyun Kim
author_sort Jongil Jeong
collection DOAJ
description Background: Dairy cows exposed to heat stress have reduced milk production, milk quality, and conception rates, leading to lower profits. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of heat stress according to Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the milk production of Korean Holstein cows. Methods: Monthly maximum temperature and average relative humidity data from January 2017 to August 2024 were obtained from 62 observation points used by the Korea Meteorological Administration to calculate the national average. Using this data, the THI, a key indicator for assessing heat stress in Korean Holstein cows, was calculated. Additionally, data from 240,088 Korean Holstein cows, collected through tests conducted by the Dairy Cattle Improvement Center of the NH-Agri Business Group, were analyzed. Results: Comparative analysis of the relationship between THI and milk production revealed that milk yield remained relatively stable until THI reached the “very severe” heat stress threshold (THI ≥ 79). Beyond this level, milk production showed a tendency to decline. Conversely, when THI dropped below this threshold, milk yield tended to recover. Notably, the temperature in September, typically considered part of the autumn season, has been rising in recent years, with THI values now approaching the very severe stress level (THI ≥ 79). Conclusions: These findings suggest that establishing an appropriate farm environment and implementing systematic THI management are essential for mitigating the decline in milk production, as well as the associated economic losses, caused by rising domestic temperatures due to global warming.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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spelling doaj-art-e61fe40f8a874cfc8e14b97685552ea02025-08-20T03:29:10ZengThe Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and BiotechnologyJournal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology2671-46392671-46632025-06-01402828910.12750/JARB.40.2.82Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cowsJongil Jeong0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7434-7121Seokhyun Lee1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8202-4676Kwi-ryong Park2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4634-7521Jisu Kim3https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3459-5271Mirae Kim4https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9620-5832Hyeonho Lee5https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9654-3209Minji Seo6https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8971-5072Jiyeon Han7https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2510-3310Gyeonglim Ryu8https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5903-5705Daehyun Kim9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4820-4438Department of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDairy Cattle Improvement Center of NH-Agree Business Group, NACF, Goyang 10292, KoreaDepartment of Dairy Cow Improvement, Korea Animal Improvement Association, Seoul 06668, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaDairy Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan 31000, KoreaDepartment of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaBackground: Dairy cows exposed to heat stress have reduced milk production, milk quality, and conception rates, leading to lower profits. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of heat stress according to Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the milk production of Korean Holstein cows. Methods: Monthly maximum temperature and average relative humidity data from January 2017 to August 2024 were obtained from 62 observation points used by the Korea Meteorological Administration to calculate the national average. Using this data, the THI, a key indicator for assessing heat stress in Korean Holstein cows, was calculated. Additionally, data from 240,088 Korean Holstein cows, collected through tests conducted by the Dairy Cattle Improvement Center of the NH-Agri Business Group, were analyzed. Results: Comparative analysis of the relationship between THI and milk production revealed that milk yield remained relatively stable until THI reached the “very severe” heat stress threshold (THI ≥ 79). Beyond this level, milk production showed a tendency to decline. Conversely, when THI dropped below this threshold, milk yield tended to recover. Notably, the temperature in September, typically considered part of the autumn season, has been rising in recent years, with THI values now approaching the very severe stress level (THI ≥ 79). Conclusions: These findings suggest that establishing an appropriate farm environment and implementing systematic THI management are essential for mitigating the decline in milk production, as well as the associated economic losses, caused by rising domestic temperatures due to global warming.https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2728&vmd=Fullclimate challengeheat stresskorean holstein cowsmilk productiontemperature humidity index
spellingShingle Jongil Jeong
Seokhyun Lee
Kwi-ryong Park
Jisu Kim
Mirae Kim
Hyeonho Lee
Minji Seo
Jiyeon Han
Gyeonglim Ryu
Daehyun Kim
Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
climate challenge
heat stress
korean holstein cows
milk production
temperature humidity index
title Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
title_full Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
title_fullStr Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
title_full_unstemmed Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
title_short Changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature-humidity index in Korean Holstein cows
title_sort changes in milk production and economic analysis in relation with the temperature humidity index in korean holstein cows
topic climate challenge
heat stress
korean holstein cows
milk production
temperature humidity index
url https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2728&vmd=Full
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