|
Farm animals in
Italy -- particularly in the muggy agricultural heartland around
the Po river near Milan -- are under stress as the mercury
approaches 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) in the hottest July for
more than a decade.
"The situation is worrying, particularly in the Po Valley which
has the highest concentration of barns that have been kitted out
with fans, small showers and air conditioners to cool down cows
and pigs," farming group Coldiretti said.
Italian cows produced 50 million litres less milk than usual in
the first 15 days of the month and chickens laid between 5 and
10 percent fewer eggs, the group said in a statement.
Coldiretti said conditions were set to get worse with the
arrival of an anticyclone weather phenomenon known as "Charon",
named after the ferryman of Greek mythology who steered the
deceased across the river separating the worlds of the living
and the dead.
Perspiring pigs are also suffering, Coldiretti said, adding that
they lose their appetite in temperatures above 28 degrees and
start eating up to 40 percent less than usual.
Anti-humidity measures have been taken and drinking trough
systems are working overtime to give some of the thirsty beasts
up to 140 litres of water a day, compared to the 70 they drink
in cooler weather.
(Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Ros Russell)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|
