Recognizing Heat Stress
Cattle start to struggle with heat well before humans notice a problem, particularly dark-hided or heavier animals. Watch for open-mouth breathing, excessive drooling, bunching in shade, and reduced feed intake, all of which signal that body temperature is climbing to dangerous levels. Heat stress can reduce weight gain, lower milk production, and hurt reproduction, so acting early protects both animal welfare and your bottom line.
Cooling Strategies That Work
Make sure water troughs supply enough volume for the whole herd to drink at once, since cattle can double their water intake in hot weather. Provide shade structures or access to trees, and consider sprinklers in confinement settings to help animals cool through evaporation. Adjusting handling and transport to early morning or evening hours also avoids adding extra stress during the hottest part of the day.
