Relationships between climatic conditions and the behaviour of feedlot cattle

Abstract

Five pens in 2 south east Queensland commercial feedlots (A and B) were used to determine relationships between climatic conditions and behavioural patterns of cattle. Standing or lying at the feed bunk or at the water trough were recorded from the 8^th January to the 27^th March. In Feedlot A, more cattle were standing when morning observations were used than in Feedlot B, while in Feedlot B there were more animals in standing behaviour during afternoon observation. Behavioural patterns such as standing at the feed bunk or standing at the water trough in Feedlot B were related to weather conditions. However, in Feedlot A, standing at the feed bunk did not show any relationship to weather conditions and the relationship between weather conditions and standing at the water trough was not as strong as in Feedlot B. Evaluation of behavioural patterns in a feedlot can be used as an aid to assess heat stress in feedlot cattle. However, this should be done on an individual feedlot basis.