If you all are anything like me, it’s about time for some cooler weather. We have had some big weather extremes this summer. It seemed as if the whole month of June consisted of rainfall. Now, in July, we just can’t seem to escape the heat and I believe hot temperatures are here to stay for a little longer.
This got me thinking about how this heat could affect our herds that are out there exposed to it every day and what we can do to ensure that they are as protected as they can be. First, cattle do not have an effective way to sweat, so during those hot days, cows drink 2 gallons per 100 pounds of body weight. This makes it imperative to supply plenty of high-quality drinking water to meet the needs of your herd. Second, make sure that pest control measures, such as applying fly tags and pest control feed supplements, have been taken since hot temperatures only intensify these problems. Third, make sure that there is an adequate amount of shade for your whole herd to fit under. I know it might seem obvious, but having enough for the whole herd to fit under at once can make a huge difference. Lastly, right now is a good time to evaluate those individuals in your herd as well. Use this time to observe their reaction to the rising temperatures to select those who handle the heat better. It might be good to consider keeping those who perform better in the heat for reproduction.
Those cattle that are in heat stress are going to experience decreased reproductive performance, decreased feed conversion, and an increased susceptibility to illness. If you’re hot out there in this heat, then those cattle are too. So, be proactive in these management practices and make sure that your herd beats this heat for the rest of the summer.
