Shade matters: heat stress alleviation in Gyr and Girolando cows through silvopastoral management in tropical conditions.

ABSTRACT: Silvopastoral systems integrating tree cover into pasturelands offer promising strategies to mitigate heat stress in tropical livestock production. This study evaluated the effects of shade from Eucalyptus urograndis on thermal comfort indices in Gyr and Girolando dairy cattle in the Brazilian Cerrado. Forty-eight lactating cows (24 Gir, 24 Girolando) were monitored over two years in two contrasting environments: no shade (full sun) and shade (silvopasture). Thermal indices, including rectal and surface temperatures (measured via infrared thermography), respiration rates, and panting scores, were analyzed alongside environmental data, such as the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). Cattle under shade consistently exhibited lower body temperatures, respiration rates, and panting scores, with

SUBMITTER: McManus C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12804218 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature