POTENTIAL SEASONAL HEAT STRESS OF SHEEP: ASSESSMENT OF FOUR HUSBANDRY AREAS IN GREECE

摘要

Potential seasonal heat stress of sheep was studied at four husbandry areas in Greece (i.e., Ioannina-semi mountainous, Larissa-flat land, Trikala Korinthias-mountainous, and Tzermiado-mountainous) aiming to support the sheep husbandry sector. Indices used were the Temperature Humidity Index (THI), the time percentage (%) within predefined heat-stress categories, and the seasonal THI-hrs index. The flat land area of Larissa exhibited the worst heat-stress conditions. Annual average THI value was 16.93 +/- 0.41 significantly (P0.001) higher compared to 12.91 +/- 0.37, 12.39 +/- 0.36 and 12.85 +/- 0.26, for Ioannina, Trikala Korinthias, and Tzermiado. During summer, the time percentage (%) within the extreme severe heat-stress category (IV) was significantly (P0.05) higher, namely 58.2%, compared to Ioannina (34.3%), Trikala Korinthias (10.0%) and Tzermiado (8.0%), whereas the seasonal THI-hrs under heat-stress conditions (THI >= 22.2) were 1.9, 5.7, and 4.5 times higher, respectively. Sheep husbandry should very cautiously expand to Greek flat land areas.