Environment Comparisons and Cattle Gains in Wood and Wire Corrals1

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Abstract
A microclimatic study comparing a wood corral and a wire pen (dirt floor) surrounded by a green alfalfa field, during the summer of 1954 in the Imperial Valley showed that the wire pen was decidedly cooler. Pen 2 (wire pen) had an air temperature 3.8° F. less than that of Pen 1 (wood corral), the wind velocity was 1.32 MPH faster in Pen 2, water temperature 4.9° F. lower in Pen 2, and the radiant heat load was as much as 9.5 B.T.U. less per hr. per sq. ft. of animal surface. The cattle in Pen 2 gained 1.94 lb. per head per day, while those in Pen 1 made a daily gain of 1.51 lb. This difference in gain is significant at the 1 percent level. A substantially cooler environment for cattle can be provided by proper corral construction, good shade, cool water, and a reduction of radiant heat. This test substantiates observations reported previously.

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