Hot, sunny days and pastures with little or no man-made or natural shade are a poor combination for livestock.

The Shade Haven mobile parasol provides some relief by casting a large shadow for sheep, cattle and other stock to rest or graze under.

See also: 6 feed strategies to mitigate heat stress in cattle

Built in the US and imported by Netherlands-based Man@Machine, the Shade Haven is produced in two sizes – the 9m SH600 covering an area of 55sq m and the 12m SH1200 covering 110sq m.

One of the first Shade Haven units in Britain – an SH1200 – provides respite for a suckler herd of Dexter cattle on a farm in the Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, where they graze valley meadows and hills 365 days a year in a rotational regime around the farm.

It is noticeable, the owners say, that in fields where there is no natural shade, the cattle choose to rest under the canopy.

Given the tendency towards longer, hot summers, they also feel the Shade Haven is doing a worthwhile job, playing a part in reducing stress and promoting better health.

Health benefits

Ana Pelgröm of Man@Machine emphasises the welfare benefits: “Heat stress is a torment for animals that cannot find shade and, in addition to promoting secondary diseases, such as milk fever, udder inflammation and acidosis, milk yield and animal growth rates can suffer.

“I also believe a Shade Haven is a ‘business card’ for the farm’s attention to animal welfare.”

Both Shade Haven sizes are constructed with a triangular steel frame of fixed height with a steering tricycle undercarriage plus two outriggers and screw jacks at the front for added stability.

From its folded yard-to-field transport configuration, the canopy is pulled out by hand in two halves and secured in place by spring-loaded latches, with a hand winch then used to tighten the 360deg cover.

Despite their size, both units are said to resist quite strong gusts of wind and the Shade Haven can be moved to different positions within the field by a small tractor, an ATV or farm buggy, or a pickup truck to avoid excessive soiling in one location.

Man@Machine sells direct and focuses on the larger SH1200, which is priced around £21,100 with a five-year warranty.