Using Silvopasture to Mitigate Heat Stress in Grazing Beef Cattle

<p>This study evaluated the impact of silvopasture on mitigating heat stress in grazing beef cattle by comparing physiological and behavioral responses between shaded and non-shaded pastures. Twenty-two multiparous cows were monitored over a 20-day summer trial in East Texas. Data were collected on respiration rate, heart rate, heat stress scores, and behaviors including eating, ruminating, walking, and resting. Average respiration rates and behavior proportions did not differ significantly between treatments. Afternoon periods showed peak physiological stress across all cattle, but silvopasture appeared to buffer extreme responses. Although limitations such as data gaps and a shortened trial impacted interpretation, findings suggest that silvopasture may enhance thermal comfort and support cattle welfare under heat stress conditions.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Agriculture

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agriculture

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Lofland, Sydney L

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Erin Brown
• Dr. Joe Mask
• Dr. Gregory Miller

• Silvopasture
• Beef Cattle
• Heat Stress
• Animal Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/635

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1678