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Keeping a close eye on livestock at the fair

A heat wave arrived in the Corn Belt just in time for the peak 4-H and county fair season and a veterinarian says 4-H’ers need to take extra precautions to protect their show-stock.

Buzz Iliff with Illinois-based Wyoming Veterinary Services says when it comes to moving livestock into the fairgrounds, it should happen in the early morning or late afternoon.  “If you have to move during the day – for example if you’re moving pigs – throw some ice bags down in the trailer and let them lay on that so they have some way to cool off,” he says.  “As far as cattle – the best way would be to wet them down with cold water before they get in the trailer and then that would evaporate and help relieve them from some of the heat.”

He says access to water and good air movement are key to keeping show animals comfortable during these excessive temperatures.

Collin Grebner shows pigs in central Illinois and says they are always working to make sure the livestock are staying cool.  “We have to make sure they have plenty of water,” he says.  “Every 15-30 minutes we’ll get up and water them.  And it’s very important that during weather this hot if you’re at a fair that there is always somebody there.  Because pigs do not have any sweat glands so we have to make sure there are fans always running on them.”

He tells Brownfield 4-H’ers care about their pigs a lot – and would devastated if something happened to their livestock.

AUDIO: Collin Grebner, Central Illinois