The THI (Temperature Humidity Index) is a thermal comfort index for animals. This indicator is well known to farmers and helps adjust livestock farming conditions (ventilation, hydration, shade, feeding, etc.).
Just like plants, animals sweat to regulate their internal temperature. In case of high humidity and high heat, this mechanism breaks down and malfunctions occur.
An animal suffering from heat yields less (milk, meat, wool, etc.), resulting in a direct loss of income. Reproduction becomes a secondary priority: hormone levels drop, semen quality degrades, ongoing pregnancies become more difficult—resulting in indirect income loss.
There is also a loss in product quality. For example, milk composition deteriorates due to rumen dysfunction.
In the medium and long term, less visible signs include:
- Reduced fertility and immunity
- Increased risk of mastitis, lameness, and acidosis
- Rumen imbalance
- Higher maintenance requirements
How to access THI in the Weenat app?
Requirements:
- A plot with both temperature and humidity data
That means:
- Owning and linking a Thermometer-Hygrometer sensor (Thermometer + Hygrometer) to a plot. For example, installed in a stabling.
or
- Owning and linking a Weather Station (Rain Gauge + Thermometer + Hygrometer) to a plot. For example, installed in a pasture.
or
- Activating Meteo Vision on a plot.
Displaying and using the THI
You can use this metric in different ways:
- By adding the THI widget to a plot with the two required metrics
- By creating an alert based on this indicator
- By accessing the plot's history data or exporting it from the app
- By placing calls to the Weenat API (https://dev.weenat.com)