Nearly a year ago, the combination of extreme heat and high humidity in Kansas resulted in heightened cattle death losses in some areas. With forecasters predicting above normal temperatures, ranchers and feeders should take precautions to protect livestock from heat stress.
Surveys have shown the most effective practices include providing adequate shade, spraying with water, careful monitoring and proper feeding and watering. Spraying cattle duplicates the cooling effect of evaporating sweat. Feeding once a day in the late afternoon reduces body heat, as digestion occurs four to six hours after consumption.
Monitoring air temperature, humidity, wind speed and cloud cover is an important part of managing livestock heat stress. Overnight lows higher than 74 degrees do not allow cattle to adequately cool, requiring heightened observation and possibly intervention the following day. Click here for livestock heat stress forecast maps produced daily as a partnership between the USDA Ag Research Service and the National Weather Service. A link to these maps can be found on www.kla.org under “Timely Links.”
Kansas Livestock Association