Summary
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of betaine included at 0, 10, 20 and 40 g/head/day; and to investigate the effect of glycerol fed at an inclusion rate of 5% of dry matter intake on core body temperature and respiratory dynamics of feedlot steers over the summer months (120 days on feed). The dietary treatments were replicated across shaded and non-shaded pens. The study reports on these findings and the treatment impacts on animal productivity and animal welfare with associated economic production benefits.
The major findings from this study are: (i) provision of shade has economic ($40.66/per head) and welfare benefits over the summer months, (ii) addition of betaine did not improve performance or welfare outcomes, and (iii) addition of glycerol had a positive effect on HSCW but was not a cost effective supplement.
This study confirms that shade is the primary method for alleviation of heat load in black Bos taurus cattle.
