[Studies of climatic factors influencing the performance of cattle in the Syrian Arab Republic. 2. Assessment fo 1968/69 climatic factors].

On the basis of the values of temperature and moisture for one year, an experimental cowshed (80 cows) on the border of the Syriain semidesert was investigated using a new evaluation scheme. The assessment was made according to three ranges of physiological compatibility. Essential deficiencies were found in the construction and in the function of the cowshed. Using the relevant literature (see part 1) on this subject, the paper tries to show that such conditions must be detremental to the performance of European cattle breeds. If cattle stay for a long time in temperature regions above the physiological compatibility range, damages to the health must also be expected in non-adapted and local breeds. Suitable devices must be built into the cowsheds to enable release of warmth from the cattle kept there. Improvements in the climate of the cowshed are part of the complex measure for increasing the performance. The paper tries to stimulate more intensive studies of the climate and its effect on the performance in animal production for other regions and countries as well.