Managing heat stress in Middle East feedlots

Summary

The Middle East summer presents physiological challenges for Australian sheep that are part of the live export supply chain coming from the Australian winter to the Middle East summer.  Extreme temperatures combined with high humidity may be experienced.  From an animal welfare perspective it is important to understand what the requirements are for feed and water trough allowances, and the amount of pen space required by an animal, to cope with exposure to these types of climatic conditions.
These studies address parameters that are pertinent to the wellbeing of animals arriving in the Middle East all year round.  The experimental animals were physiologically challenged, especially during the summer months.
Three prime factors (feed, water and pen space) are important regarding animal welfare (as measured by weight changes), particularly in hotter times of the year.  If sheep have ideal pen parameters, they are better able to cope with difficult summer conditions.  Importantly these studies have scientifically validated and more clearly defined how healthy young wethers respond to different pen parameters upow.n arrival in the Middle East.