Characterization of the climatic environment for feedlot-finished cattle in the semi-arid region

On rural properties in the semi-arid region, deciduous trees are used in feedlot systems, since their leaves act as barriers against solar radiation, favor ventilation, provide shade and reduce air temperature. However, during the cattle finishing phase, coinciding with the dry period, these trees lose their leaves. Therefore, the objective of this research is to characterize the deciduous vegetation offered as shade to cattle in the finishing phase, during the dry period, in the semi-arid region. For that reason, data collection was carried out on a private property and specialized in cattle breeding, located in the municipality of Jana & uacute;ba (MG), during the months from August to October. In this study, two environments were characterized: one under full sun and another one under natural shade, by means of the evaluation of climatic variables, besides physiological and behavioral parameters of 31 zebu-type beef cattle. The animals were managed in a single corral, where they were exposed to an integrated space under full sun and shade (deciduous trees - environment 2), and the trough was in the environment (environment 1) under full sun. Furthermore, a completely randomized design was adopted with two environments and four assessment periods (morning, afternoon, night, and dawn), with five repetitions (weeks under assessment). The results showed that deciduous trees used as shade for beef cattle in the feedlot system did not prevent the passage of radiant thermal load due to the absence of foliage. Even so, a suitable microclimate was formed for the animals due to evapotranspiration carried out by the roots, which reduced the soil temperature, and consequently, the animals' respiratory rate. Finally, it was found that the highest frequency of animals feeding occurred during the day, under unfavorable climatic conditions, since the trough was under the sun, while rumination and idleness occurred at night, under comfortable conditions in the corral space, where the deciduous trees were.