Evaluation of photovoltaic panels as heat abatement resources for dairy cattle raised in an integrated pasture-based system

• Grant number: 23/12319-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Matheus Deniz
• Grantee: Matheus Deniz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Frederico Márcio Corrêa Vieira ; Karolini Tenffen de Sousa ; Lenira El Faro Zadra ; Maria Jose Hotzel ; Otávio Rodrigues Machado Neto ; Ricardo Ruther

Abstract

It is estimated due to climate change there will be an increase in the duration and intensity of heat waves and drought in the coming years. Therefore, heat abatement linked to livestock sustainability is a hot topic of debate in animal production systems. Providing shade for animals raised on pasture is a practice that can improve thermal comfort and animal welfare. Linked to this, the provision of artificial shade through photovoltaic panels can combine the supply of clean energy and animal thermal comfort. This project aims to evaluate the effects of a photovoltaic system of livestock integration on forage production, pasture quality, thermal comfort, behavior, and thermoregulation physiology of dairy cattle. A livestock integration photovoltaic system will be evaluated in comparison with a pasture-based system without heat abatement (control system). The project will be carried out at the Fazenda Experimental Lageado da Faculdade de Medicina Veteárriniáa e Zootecnia da Unesp de Botucatu. In a crossover experiment, thirty dairy cattle will be divided into three groups (10 animals/group). The experiments will be replicated over time with data collection covering all seasons. During the experimental period, microclimate, behavioral parameters and thermoregulation physiology will be collected. At the same time, a photovoltaic solar energy generation system will be installed to provide shade and produce electricity, with monitoring and optimization of energy generation. The results of this project will help to encourage the adoption of sustainable production systems from an economic, social, environmental, and energy point of view. In addition, it will help elucidate issues related to the comfort and thermal stress of dairy cattle raised on pasture, as well as raise discussions related to the welfare of dairy cattle. (AU)