News

Prepare to avoid heat stress on cattle

As temperatures begin to warm, livestock producers need to be prepared to help animals avoid heat stress.  South Dakota State University cow-calf specialist Warren Rusche tells Brownfield Ag News that the risk of animals being harmed by the heat depends on the kind of cattle that are in the lot.

“If we have a bunch of heavy, dark-hided cattle on feed in a pen that doesn’t have shade and doesn’t have wind access, that’s really almost a recipe for a potential train wreck if we end up with some hot and humid weather,” Rusche told Brownfield Ag News.

Rusche says producers need to plan ahead for hot weather so that cattle can be kept comfortable.  The difference between 70 degrees and 90 degrees is that water consumption is two-and-a-half times greater at 90 degrees than it is at 70.

“We need to make sure our water system can handle that kind of volume,” said Rusche.  “We also need to make sure that we have at least 3 inches of trough space per head, and that may mean that we need to bring in some extra tanks.”

Rusche says to avoid working cattle on hot days, but if it’s necessary, have it done by 9:00 am or 10:00 am, and also see that most of the feeding is done later in the day.

“Like shifting feed deliveries to late afternoon or early evening, so that that heat production that occurs when cattle eat feed happens during the cooler part of the day.”

He adds that producers should make sure cattle have plenty of shade, air movement, and if necessary, sprinklers.

AUDIO: Warren Rusche (8 min. MP3)