The potential of the development of Holstein crossbreed dairy cows in tropical lowland Indonesia: Study of physiological and milk production by body cooling treatment

The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of body cooling techniques on physiological and milk production of Holstein crossbred dairy cow at lowland area during the dry season. Three treatments have been done for 30 days that were: none, fans, and water sprinkling cooling, for 30 minutes each at 08.00 and 11.00 h. The effects of treatment are not significant (P > 0.05) on air temperature, RH, THI, respiration rate, heart rate and heat tolerance coefficient. The rectal temperature by sprinkling (38.76°C) was within the normal range, lower (P < 0.05) than the fans (39.59°C) and none (39.57°C). Sprinkling increased serum T3 concentrations (2.81 ng/ml), higher than none (1.58 ng/ml) (P < 0.05). The effect of treatment is not significant (P < 0.05) on milk production, dry matter, TDN and crude protein intake. The research highlighted that water sprinkling was effective in maintaining normal physiological condition of Holstein crossbreed cows in hot lowland environments.