Shading success: Optimizing climatic conditions and performance of feedlot Nellore cattle in the semi-arid belt

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate, through principal component analysis, the effect of different feedlot structures on climatic conditions, nutrient intake, and performance of Nellore bulls during the feeding period in the semi-arid region. Data from 225 non-castrated Nellore bulls with initial mean body weight (BW) of 294 ± 19 kg and age of 24 months were used. This was done in a completely randomized design with three feedlot structures (no shading, natural shade, and artificial shade with 50% light interception), resulting in 75 repetitions (each animal serving as an experimental unit). The feeding period for the animals in the feedlot was 107 days. The first two components explained 99.65 (no shade), 97.32 (artificial shade), and 99.89 (natural shade) of total data variation. The variables, namely the black globe temperature index (0.88), radiant heat load (0.96, 0.99, 0.76), black globe temperature (0.96), and hot carcass weight (0.64) exerted the greatest influence on the feedlot structures. Climatic and intake variables were identified as having the most significant impact on feedlot structures. Artificial shade with 50% light interception shade cloth positively contributes to the hot carcass weight of feedlot Nellore cattle.