 |  | 
Cattle loss from heat can be disasterous. The following are a few ideas for short-term relief during a heat wave.
* Ensure adequate water supply (even add additional tanks)
During hot periods, water intake may increase by 50 percent. Water, of course, provides hydration and cools by evaporation,
but cattle will also cool themselves by standing in or placing tongue or muzzle often in water. Extra tanks will help avoid
crowding.
* Provide or move animals to areas of maximum air flow
Breezes of 5 to 10 mph can provide significant cooling. Move animals (particularly older ones with heavier finish) away from
areas where air flow is restricted. Shade certainly helps.
* Wet down pen areas or set up sprinklers to wet down cattle
To avoid too rapid cooling, sprinkling should be started in the morning before the cattle heat up. Large droplet systems
applied as a spray for 5 to 10 minutes once or twice per hour are better than constant misting. Optimum cooling requires that
the skin gets wet. Even wet surfaces provide some cooling relief from evaporation.
* Keep current on marketing finished livestock
As animals approach a finished market weight, their resistance to heat stress declines. And, feed intake decreases with heat;
weight gains decrease or are reversed. Shipping finished cattle (in the cool of the night) early may be an economic advantage,
especially if the heat wave results in loss.
* Control flies
Hot weather brings large fly hatches. Spraying insecticide (in the cool of the morning) or other methods of control will
decrease the body heat generated from the switching and stomping and the crowding associated with fly aggravation.
* Provide artificial cooling for animals in confined areas
Fans may be necessary for animals in closed facilities with limited air movement. This is especially true for animals reaching a
finished weight.
G. L. Meerdink, DVM
Veterinary Extension & Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
|
|
