Title:	Shade matters: heat stress alleviation in Gyr and Girolando cows through silvopastoral management in tropical conditions.
Authors:	MCMANUS, C. PIMENTEL, F. JUNQUEIRA, V. S. BALBINO, L. C. CORDEIRO, L. A. M. BERNAL, F. PERIPOLLI, V. FERREIRA, I. C.
Affiliation:	CONCEPTA MCMANUS, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; FELIPE PIMENTEL, UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO; VINÍCIUS SILVA JUNQUEIRA, BAYER CROP SCIENCE; LUIZ CARLOS BALBINO, CPAC; LUIZ ADRIANO MAIA CORDEIRO, PR; FRANCISCO BERNAL, UNIVERSIDADE DE BRASÍLIA; VANESSA PERIPOLLI, INSTITUTO FEDERAL CATARINENSE; ISABEL CRISTINA FERREIRA, CPAC.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	International Journal of Biometeorology, v. 70, n. 27, 2026.
Description:	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 significant differences amplified under heat stress conditions (THI > 74). Though both benefited from shade, Gyr cattle demonstrated better thermoregulatory responses than Girolando. Discriminant analysis accurately classified animals by system (> 92%) and breed (~ 71%) based on physiological traits. These results confirm that tree shade significantly enhances animal comfort in tropical pasture systems and supports the implementation of silvopastoral practices to improve dairy cattle welfare and resilience under climate stress.
Thesagro:	Cerrado Vaca Leiteira Bem-Estar Temperatura Umidade Ambiente Termorregulação
NAL Thesaurus:	Silvopastoral systems Heat stress Dairy cattle Animal welfare Thermoregulation
Keywords:	Eucalyptus urograndis Raça Gir Raça Girolando Estresse térmico Brazilian Cerrado
ISSN:	1432-1254
DOI:	10.1007/s00484-025-03063-7
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CPAC)