Effects of shade and sprinklers on performance, behavior, physiology, and the environment of heifers

Schematic map for elimination behavior occurrence and sample locations for soil moisture samples, ground surface temperature, and NH₃ measure. Corrals measured 10.4×21.3m and had 8 sample locations. The 4 corrals only differed by either shade or sprinkler installations. Shade was only present for 2 shaded corrals, and sprinkler was only present for 2 sprinkled corrals. The top of the corral, adjacent to the feed apron, faces west, and the back of each corral faces east. Numbers in parentheses represent soil and NH₃ sampling locations. Corral soil moisture samples were taken for sample locations 3 to 10. Ground surface temperature and NH₃ measures were taken at locations 1 to 10.

Behaviors of heifers housed in either shaded (SH) or sprinkled (SP) corrals over time. Behaviors are reported as percentages of time of over a 24-h period. *Indicates P<0.05 between treatments.

Frequency (number/h) of elimination behaviors (urination and defecation combined) reported by treatment and location in shaded and sprinkled corrals. Location 1 represents the front (west) section of the corral, location 6 represents the area around the water trough, and location 11 represents the back (east) section of the corral. Corrals are represented by location 1 to 8. Effects of shade vs. sprinkling were analyzed by location. The pooled SEM = 0.37. Data were analyzed by location with * indicating P<0.05 between treatments.

Frequency (number/h) of elimination behaviors (urination and defecation combined) in heifers housed in either shaded or sprinkled corrals reported by treatment and time. The pooled SEM = 0.57.

Corral soil moisture gradient for each treatment. Soil moisture was measured to a depth of 15cm. Numbers are average values for treatments reported in percentages of moisture. Panel (a) depicts the shade (SH) corrals. Boxes outlined in bold represent the location of shade within the corral. Panel (b) shows the sprinkled (SP) corrals. Black circles represent sprinkler location, and dashed lines represent the sprinkle radius. Data were analyzed by location. The pooled location SEM = 1.75. *Indicates P<0.05 between treatments within each location.

Corral ground surface temperature at 1200h. Values are reported in°C. Panel (a) depicts the shade (SH) corrals. Boxes outlined in bold represent the location of shade within the corral. Panel (b) shows the sprinkled (SP) corrals. Black circles represent sprinkler location, and dashed lines represent the sprinkle radius. Data were analyzed by location within corral. The pooled SEM = 1.6. *Indicates P<0.05 between treatments within location.