Publication Date
1997
Description
In tropical climates, adequate shade may be essential to ensure the survival and productivity of grazing animals, but in the temperate Ontario climate, the necessity or benefits of providing shade for grazing cattle are less clear, and have proved controversial. Meteorological data indicate that beef cattle in Ontario may be at risk of suffering from heat stress on more than 25% of days during July and August, and may decrease feed intake and benefit from the provision of shade for more than 50% of days during the two hottest summer months. A booklet, entitled ‘Beat the Heat. A Guide to Hot Weather and Shade for Ontario Cattle Producers’, has been written for the Ontario Cattleman’s Association, as a means of providing basic information on heat biology in cattle, and as a focus for discussion on the value of shade to Ontario beef producers.
Citation
Finegan, E J. and Widowski, T M., "Shade for Cattle on Pasture: A Guide for Ontario Producers" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session5/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Shade for Cattle on Pasture: A Guide for Ontario Producers
In tropical climates, adequate shade may be essential to ensure the survival and productivity of grazing animals, but in the temperate Ontario climate, the necessity or benefits of providing shade for grazing cattle are less clear, and have proved controversial. Meteorological data indicate that beef cattle in Ontario may be at risk of suffering from heat stress on more than 25% of days during July and August, and may decrease feed intake and benefit from the provision of shade for more than 50% of days during the two hottest summer months. A booklet, entitled ‘Beat the Heat. A Guide to Hot Weather and Shade for Ontario Cattle Producers’, has been written for the Ontario Cattleman’s Association, as a means of providing basic information on heat biology in cattle, and as a focus for discussion on the value of shade to Ontario beef producers.
