If you’re located in the tropics or subtropics, and if humidity and insects are a challenge, then it’s absolutely essential for cattle to be tropically adaptable. Adaptability is the gateway trait into profitability through functional efficiency. There is a smorgasbord of traits that enable tropical adaptability. There is no single silver bullet.
- Body type is important. Ruminants in the tropics are built differently than ruminants in temperate areas. They will have a higher surface to body ratio, which allows them to shed heat more readily.
- Extra hide means more sweat glands. This allows heat to dissipate effectively.
- They need the ability to move a subcutaneous muscle to shake off external parasites in a specific area. This saves the energy it takes to use their tails and tongues to do the same job.
- Color is important. Lighter colors reflect infrared light. Black absorbs infrared light. The difference in surface temperature is significant on hot summer days. This can affect functionality and profitability. Black is an effective color in temperate areas and is useful at altitude, as black can make good use of ultraviolet rays.
- A slick-haired animal reflects light better and does a better job of detaching external parasites. Hairy cattle without a lot of hide will tropically degenerate and become dysfunctional in tropical and humid subtropical climates.
When defining your breeding program’s objectives, calculating resources is key – but understanding the limits that your environment provides is paramount. It is much more economical to adapt the cow to the environment than to adapt the environment to the animal.
NOTE: We will be selling over 100 South Poll and Heat-Tolerant bulls in our Alabama Sale.