PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 9, 2026) – As temperatures continue to rise, researchers at Prairie View A&M University are working to better understand how extreme heat affects livestock and what can be done to help animals stay healthy.

Zaira Estrada-Reyes, Ph.D.

Dr. Zaira Estrada-Reyes, research associate professor in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, has received more than $65,000 in funding from the 1890 Universities Foundation through the USDA-NIFA Integrated Pest Management Center. She is studying how heat stress impacts Navajo-Churro sheep, which are known for their ability to adapt to challenging environments.

The research kicked off this summer at the University’s International Goat Research Center, part of CAFNR Research at PVAMU. Although Navajo-Churro sheep are known for their adaptability, the study will examine how extreme heat and cooling conditions affect their overall health and performance.

Researchers will measure changes in body temperature, breathing rate, cortisol (a hormone associated with stress), immune responses and other indicators to better understand how animals respond to heat. The goal is to identify biological markers that can help determine which animals are more tolerant to heat stress.

Findings from the study, led by Estrada-Reyes and supported by a team of undergraduate students, could help improve livestock management practices, establish research models that can be applied to other livestock, and support the development of more sustainable agricultural solutions. At the same time, the project gives students valuable hands-on research experience while helping address one of agriculture’s growing challenges: protecting animal health during periods of extreme heat.

-PVAMU-