Social hierarchy influences dairy cows’ use of shade in a silvopastoral system under intensive rotational grazing

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between thermal comfort indicators and social hierarchy, and cows' location (shade or sun) and their diurnal behaviors in a silvopastoral system of a subtropical climate, covering the four seasons. We measured microclimatic variables (air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, soil surface temperature) and cows’ behaviors in two areas (shaded and sunny), as well as the influence of social hierarchy (dominant, intermediate, and subordinate) on cows' location (shade or sun). In addition, we determined the black globe-humidity index (BGHI) and radiant heat load (RHL) for both areas. Air temperature, wind speed, and soil surface temperature were lower in shaded areas, and relative humidity lower in the sunny areas (p