A Sustainable Approach to Mitigating Heat Stress and Improving Microclimatic Conditions in Semi-Intensive Systems

Abstract

There is an increasing challenge to livestock production systems in terms of increasing thermal stress, exploitation of poor air quality and the lack of natural shelter which have a negative impact on animal welfare, health and productivity. The present study assessed the efficiency of agro-horticultural vegetation buffers that included the strategic placement of shade trees, shrubs, and windbreaks species in terms of controlling the microclimate and enhancing welfare parameters of cattle and small ruminant confinement. A comparative study was done on field-based investigation of representative mixed livestock farms in buffered and non-buffered housing conditions in a 90 day summer period. The microclimatic conditions, such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and particulates, were measured continuously and welfare parameters of animals, such as respiration rate, panting score, resting behaviour, feed intake reliability, and social interactions were measured. Vegetation buffers drastically changed the microenvironment surrounding animal shelters by a reduction in ambient temperature of 1.5-3.2 o C, relative humidity stabilisation, wind velocity reduction, and up to 40 percent lowering the concentration of particulate matter relative to non-buffered systems. Animals kept near vegetation buffers had significantly better thermal comfort, which was lower respiratory stress, longer resting periods, regular food intake patterns, and the animals were less aggressive. The combined buffer systems also enhanced the quality of the environment, through mitigating the amount of dust loaded and enhancing the quality of air circulating in houses. The results reveal clearly that agro-horticultural vegetation buffers are a low-cost and climate-sensitive solution in mitigating heat stress and enhancing livestock welfare in general in semi-intensive production systems. Vegetation buffers should be integrated into the livestock landscapes to provide a sustainable solution of promoting animal welfare, protecting the environment, and managing livestock in Smart climate conditions.