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Animal Comfort Index (ACI)

Animal Comfort Index (ACI)

ECONet - Cattle Comfort Index (CCI)


Animals, like humans, feel more comfortable and are more productive in moderate temperatures.


The Cattle Comfort Index (CCI) is used to provide a relative indicator of cattle comfort in hot and cold extremes. The CCI calculation includes:

  • Air Temperature
  • Relative Humidity
  • Wind Speed
  • Solar Radiation

CCI values are reported in degrees Fahrenheit, but these values do not represent actual air temperature.


These data are similar to other apparent temperature metrics, like heat index and wet bulb globe temperature. They are used as a guideline to determine how animals, predominantly cattle, are responding to heat/cold stress physiologically. Mader et al.(2014) has more information on the ACI. The index was designed by researchers form the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.


*NOTE* The below categories are taken from and adapted from the Oklahoma Mesonet Cattle Comfort Index, which can be found Oklahoma Mesonet at mesonet.org. These categories are for healthy cattle that have developed a hair coat appropriate for the season. Young or non-acclimated cattle cold stress levels need to be adjusted up by 25°F.

CCI Categories CCI (°F) Impacts
Heat Danger >105 Animal deaths may exceed 5%
Heat Caution >85 to 105 Decreased production, 20% or more.
Reduced conception, as low as 0%.
Comfortable >15 to 85
Cold Caution <15 to -20 18-36% increase in dry animal feed
Cold Danger <-20
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