Make sure cattle have access to fresh water and provide shade
Temperatures will be in the mid-90s and higher this week, with elevated humidity. Be alert to heat stress symptoms in feedlot cattle.
Three suggestions:
- Evaluate cattle in the morning and again in the afternoon to make sure they are coping with the heat.
- Make sure cattle have access to plenty of fresh water and provide shade or sprinklers if possible.
- Pay close attention as the rapid change in temperature may catch some at-risk cattle (cattle at end of feeding period or cattle with previous respiratory disease) dealing with excessive heat stress.
Additional resources:
- The Iowa Beef Center website has information and details on heat abatement strategies.
- Heat Stress in Beef Cattle – 4-page publication by Dewell, available as free download
- USDA ARS 7-day heat stress forecast
- USDA smartphone app provides forecasts of weather conditions that can trigger heat stress in cattle. Free download from Google Play (Android) and the App Store (Apple devices)
Source: Iowa State University Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.