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A combination of high temperatures and humidity can cause dangerous heat indexes for people and cattle. For livestock, the high heat index can dramatically reduce performance. The annual economic impact of heat stress on livestock is estimated to be between $1.69-$2.36 billion.
Heat stress in the cattle herd may be a concern during the warmest months of the year in the southeast U.S. Unlike humans, cattle get rid of excess heat in their system through breathing and panting more than sweating.
Preparing for breeding season is a big labor and resource investment – and unfortunately, fertility can be impacted by heat stress. Here are five tips to aid in prevention to help ensure a successful breeding season.
The full force of summer months and hot temperatures are almost upon us. With it will come heat stress, a major concern in the beef industry. Heat stress can cause countless problems in cattle, such as a decrease in feed intake, changes in the rumen which lead to diminished digestibility and a significant negative impact on performance.
It seems shade for cattle just has to be a good idea – it only stands to reason an animal that is more comfortable will eat better and will see a better rate of gain.
As producers are looking to make improvements on their operations, cow cooling strategies have quickly become the main topic of discussion on most of my farm visits these days.
Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) are a combination of the bioactive and flavoring components of plant-derived substances including essential oils, herbs, spices and plant extracts.
Cattle handle heat differently than a human or dog. Because cattle are ruminants, they produce a lot of heat during ruminal fermentation and digestion of forages.
Here they come! Those four little words that Oklahoma cattle producers despise in the summertime: “high pressure heat dome.” Understanding and avoiding heat stress in cattle can be a valuable management tool for summertime in Oklahoma.
As a nutritionist, continually evaluating the dairy ration and cow comfort is critical to maintaining a producer’s production goals, especially in hot summer months.
