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The influence of trees on the thermal environment and behaviour of grazing heifers in Brazilian Midwest

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Abstract

The intensification of the livestock production system has gained prominence over the last decades. In addition to the reduction of grazing areas and increased productivity per hectare, the intercropping involving forest tree species and ruminants has been established as a sustainable production model, generating income and valuation of natural capital. Besides the social, economic, and environmental aspects, the animal welfare is a noteworthy factor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microclimatic conditions in an open-pasture and in silvopastoral systems, considering the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and alterations in animal behavior. Three different pasture arrangements were analyzed in this study: total absence of trees in an open-pasture (ArrA), presence of peripheral trees (Eucalyptus spp.) along the border fences (ArrB), and an intensive wooded area aggregated with pasture (ArrC). A herd of 24 crossbreed heifers (3/4 and 7/8 Holstein–Girolando breed) was evaluated. Behavior data were collected every 15 min starting at 08 h00 with readings ending at 16 h00. THI was used to evaluate the environmental comfort. The THI found in the system with open-pasture and in the two systems with silvopastoral arrangement reached critical levels. The two arrangements with eucalyptus rows were not capable of eliminating heat stress in the conditions found in the north region of Mato Grosso State although better conditions were obtained under the tree canopy. The differences between the microclimatic variables for the three arrangements modified the behavior of the animals regarding their location and activity, except for water consumption.

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Abbreviations

ArrA:

Open-pasture

ArrB:

Presence of peripheral trees

ArrC:

Intensive wooded area

THI:

Temperature Humidity Index

RH:

Relative air humidity

T :

Dry bulb temperature °C

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - Embrapa Agrosilvopastoral, Rodovia dos Pioneiros MT-222, Km 2,5, Sinop, MT, 78550-970, Brazil

    Luciano Bastos Lopes & Roberta Aparecida Carnevalli

  2. Federal University of Mato Grosso - Campus Sinop, Avenida Alexandre Ferronato, 1200, Bairro Setor Industrial, Sinop, MT, 78557-267, Brazil

    Camila Eckstein & Douglas Santos Pina

Authors
  1. Luciano Bastos Lopes
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  2. Camila Eckstein
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  3. Douglas Santos Pina
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  4. Roberta Aparecida Carnevalli
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Correspondence to Luciano Bastos Lopes.

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Statement of animal rights

The authors whose names are listed above certify that they have not committed a willful act of abuse, cruelty, or neglect animal rights included on this study. The Ethics Committee for Animal Use of Embrapa Agrosilvopastoral, Sinop/Mato Grosso State, Brazil, has approved the study under number 002/2015.

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The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Lopes, L.B., Eckstein, C., Pina, D.S. et al. The influence of trees on the thermal environment and behaviour of grazing heifers in Brazilian Midwest. Trop Anim Health Prod 48, 755–761 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1021-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1021-x

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