Abstract: Context:Environmental conditions during hot weather decrease feed intake and cattle growth. Aims:This study conducted over three consecutive years, during the summer, evaluated access to shade as a strategy to mitigate heat stress of finishing cattle in Uruguay. Methods:Each year, 32 Bos taurus and/or Bos taurus crossbred steers (initially weighing 461 ± 28 kg) were blocked by initial liveweight and assigned to one of eight pens, where one of two treatments were applied, namely, no shade access or shade access (mean shaded area 4.5 m2/animal). Finishing diet was offered three times per day and cattle had ad libitum access to water. Twenty-four pens were considered in a randomised complete-block design. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency were measured, and hot carcass weight was collected at slaughter. Ruminal pH and temperature were obtained using ruminal boluses. Feeding, drinking, rumination, inactive behaviours, respiration rate and painting score were observed. Key results:Mean days on feed were 70.6 ± 5.5. The average THI ranged from 70 to 72. Steers with access to shade had greater DMI (P = 0.003), ADG (P = 0.004), and feed:gain ratio (P = 0.05) than did not shaded steers. Ruminal pH was higher (P