Date on Honors Thesis

Fall 12-2025

Major

Agribusiness

Minor

Unmanned Areial Systems

Examining Committee Member

Nick Lancaster, PhD, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Alyx Shultz, PhD, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Jeffrey Young, PhD, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

For beef cattle, parturition is one of the most critical stages in the reproductive process. It is crucial that farmers understand the factors that may influence the timing of parturition. There is a persistent preconception that the onset of parturition is influenced by the lunar phase and weather factors. The objective of this study is to characterize the association between parturition in beef cattle, the lunar phase, and/or different weather factors such as barometric pressure and temperature. Cattle records were obtained from Chambers Family Farm in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Data was collected from 142 calvings from January 2017 to October 2025. Weather and Lunar data were also collected for the same time period. A linear regression analysis was performed, and the following variables were associated with calving date (JulianCal) at the 95% confidence level (P< 0.05): the Moon Illumination percentage (Moonill), the Average Barometric Pressure on the day of calving (Avgp), and the Average Temperature 3 days before calving (Avgtlag3). The Average Barometric Pressure 6 days before calving was also associated with the date of calving at the 90% confidence level (P< 0.1). Moon Illumination Percentage was negatively correlated with date of calving (JulianCal), whereas all the significant weather variables were positively correlated with date of calving (JulianCal). The interpretation of these results found that as the Moon Illumination Percentage grew, the calving date was expedited and as any of the significant temperature of barometric pressure variables increased, it encouraged date of calving to be delayed.

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