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Shade and wind barrier effects on summertime feedlot cattle performance
T L Mader1, J M Dahlquist, G L Hahn
1Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Northeast Research and Extension Center, Concord 68728, USA. tmader1@unl.edu
Journal of Animal Science
|August 26, 1999
Summary
Shade improved steer weight gain and feed efficiency in summer when wind barriers were present, but benefits diminished once cattle acclimated or hot conditions lessened. Wind barriers alone did not significantly impact cattle performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Agricultural Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Heat stress negatively impacts livestock performance and well-being.
- Understanding environmental factors like shade and wind barriers is crucial for optimizing cattle feedlot operations.
- Previous research indicates potential benefits of shade for cattle, but interactions with other environmental modifications require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of shade and wind barriers on the performance of feedlot steers during summer conditions.
- To determine if shade provision interacts with wind barrier presence to influence cattle growth and feed intake.
- To assess the influence of environmental factors on cattle performance over multiple years and different weather patterns.
Main Methods:
- Three-year study with approximately 110 steers per year in a 2x2 factorial design (shade vs. no shade, wind barriers vs. no wind barriers).
- Cattle were fed dry-rolled corn-based diets in pens equipped with or without shade structures and wind-reducing shelterbelts.
- Performance metrics including weight gain, dry matter intake (DMI), and feed efficiency (DMI/ADG) were recorded over an average of 79 days on feed.
Main Results:
- Shade significantly increased gain (0-56 d) and decreased DMI/ADG (0-28 d) for cattle in pens with wind barriers.
- No significant differences in performance were observed between shaded and unshaded cattle in pens without wind barriers or over the entire feeding period in either facility type.
- The positive effect of shade in pens with wind barriers was more pronounced in the first year, potentially due to weather variations and cattle acclimation.
Conclusions:
- Shade provision can enhance cattle performance during summer, particularly when combined with wind protection and before cattle acclimate to heat.
- The benefits of shade may be transient, as compensatory gains in unshaded cattle can offset initial advantages once heat stress lessens or acclimation occurs.
- Environmental modifications like shade and wind barriers should be considered in feedlot management, with their efficacy influenced by weather patterns and cattle adaptation.