Ewe lamb vaginal temperatures in hardwood silvopastures

Shade for livestock during periods of heat stress is likely to be one of the biggest drivers for silvopasture adoption by livestock producers, yet the degree of physiological benefit for animals in silvopastures is generally unquantified. The greatest challenge for measuring body temperatures and assessing heat stress in animals on pasture is in collecting the data while minimizing disturbance to the animal. In this study, intravaginal temperature sensors were constructed from blank controlled internal drug release devices and small temperature loggers. Body temperatures of ewe lambs ( n = 9) were recorded within a replicate within a week, and these measures were taken sequentially within each of three experimental periods. During the hottest part of the day (1200–1900 h), ewe lambs in the open pasture had hotter vaginal temperatures than lambs in the black walnut ( Juglans nigra ) silvopastures (P ≤ 0.0338). Ewe lambs in the honeylocust silvopastures ( Gleditsia triacanthos ) had cooler body temperatures than lambs in the open pastures at 1500 h (P = 0.0469). Ewe lambs in the open pasture experienced more fluctuation in day to nighttime core temperature change (P