[Climatic factors modifying the performance of cattle in Nigeria].

Abstract

Continuing previous analogous investigations on climatic factors limiting the performance of cattle, temperature and humidity values were determined in southern Nigeria and were related to the established physiological compatibility conditions for cattle. A good agreement was found between the values determined in 1984 and 1985. On average (for both years) the outside temperatures surpassed the physiologically-compatible limit of 24 degrees C to the extent of 57.8%. Not more than 1.3% of the total hours were within the optimum temperature range for cattle. The values for the relative humidity were within the optimum cattle range by 27.4% in the two-year average, whereas they were too moist by 35.1%.