Abstract

Summer heat load can negatively affect dairy cattle welfare and productivity. This study assessed whether shelterbelts influence dairy cattle behaviour, microclimate, and spatial distribution using GPS tracking, motion sensors, and cow‑level temperature–humidity loggers across four New Zealand dairy farms. Cattle time budgets did not differ between shelterbelt and non‑shelterbelt paddocks, although lying time increased at one site. Hotspot analysis showed strong clustering of cows near shelterbelts. Cow‑level THI exceeded NIWA station THI, suggesting that ambient weather data underestimates heat load experienced by cattle. Shelterbelts influenced spatial distribution but had limited effect on overall behavioural time budgets.

Carvalho, J.K., Draganova I.D., Corner-Thomas R., and Lopez I.F.

Hamilton, Volume 85, Hamilton, 5-8, 2025