High Heat Prompts Livestock Safeguards Across Kentucky

Jul 04, 2025

By Jordan Strickler

An unseasonably intense heat dome has settled over Kentucky, sending afternoon highs into the mid-90s and pushing the livestock heat-stress index into dangerous — and at times emergency — levels.

Specialists go by what is called the “livestock heat stress index” to determine the level of concern farmers and pet owners should have for their animals. When the index reaches danger and emergency levels in the spring and summer, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment experts urge people to take certain precautions to ensure the safety and health of their animals.

The livestock heat-stress index blends air temperature and humidity to gauge how hard animals must work to shed body heat. Readings in the danger range reduce feed intake and fertility; emergency readings can cause respiratory distress or death.

Source : uky.edu

Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.