@article{monn_shea_mayberry_freeman_poole_poore_2018, title={Implementing Shade and Slick Hair Phenotypes Improves Heifer Performance}, volume={96}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/sky027.150}, abstractNote={Studies have shown that proper regulation of body temperature is essential for optimum productivity in cattle. The objective of this pilot study was to determine if the shade provided by silvopasture or incorporation of the slick hair phenotype improves beef heifer performance. Senepol cross beef heifers (n=12) were blocked by hair coat phenotype, either slick or normal, and randomly assigned to graze shaded or non-shaded pastures from May through October. During this grazing period, BCS, hair coat scores (HCS), hair shedding scores (HSS) and fly counts were recorded every 2 wk. Additionally, heifers were weighed at the beginning and end of the grazing period to determine ADG. On d 112 of the grazing period, iButton® temperature data loggers were attached to CIDR-blanks to record vaginal body temperature every 15 min for 14 d. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures examined for effects of hair coat phenotype, pasture (shaded or non-shaded) and time on ADG, HSS, HCS, fly count, and body temperature. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. HCS, but not HSS, were greater in the normal hair phenotype heifers compared to heifers with the slick phenotype. Incorporation of shade lowered HCS of normal hair coat heifers, but not heifers with the slick hair phenotype (P < 0.05). Heifers with the slick hair phenotype in non-shaded pastures had decreased HSS compared to heifers with the normal hair phenotype (P < 0.05). A greater ADG was observed in heifers with the slick phenotype compared to normal hair phenotype (0.46 and 0.36 Kg/d, respectively; P < 0.05) as well as those cattle that were permitted shade compared to those without shade (0.48 and 0.33 Kg/d, respectively; P < 0.05). Fly counts were greatest in normal haired cattle (101.5 ± 27.6) in non-shaded pastures compared to the other animal groups (62.1,64.9, and 51.2 for slick in non-shaded, normal and slick in shaded pastures, respectively; P < 0.05). Heifers grazing in non-shaded pastures displayed a greater body temperature compared to those cattle permitted access to shade (P < 0.05). The combination of greater body temperatures, fly counts, HCS and HSS during the grazing period negatively impacted the growth performance of heifers in non-shaded pastures with the normal hair phenotype compared to the other animal groups.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Monn, R. E. and Shea, T. P. and Mayberry, K. and Freeman, S. R. and Poole, D. H. and Poore, M. H.}, year={2018}, month={Mar}, pages={79–80} }