HEAT STRESS INFORMATION
 
 
 
The U.S Meat Animal Research Center's (MARC) cattle heat stress alert system provides valuable information to producers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A combination of high temperatures and humidities create conditions that can place livestock in danger.
 
Veterinarians and animal scientists say symptoms of heat stress in cattle include slobbering, increased respiration rate and an elevated head.
 
Make sure to have adequate access for multiple animals to drink water.
 
Check reserves, pumps and all parts of the watering system.
 
Shade, either temporary or permanent, can greatly reduce accumulated heat.
 
Light-colored bedding, such as straw, has proven through research to reduce surface temperaturs and allow catttle to transfer heat load.
 
For confined cattle, delivering 705 or more of the daily feed two to four hours after the peak ambient temperature has been reached will allow the heat of digestion to take place in the evening and overnight hours.
 
If sprinklers are used to mitigate heat, droplets should be large enough to soak the hide. Spraying a mist over cattle can serve to increase humidity and worsen the problem.