HEAT STRESS
Heat Stress and Your Herd
Know the warning signs and best practices for heat stress prevention and management.
Temperatures 80 °F and above can cause cattle physical stress trying to stay cool. Cattle do not sweat effectively, and they rely on their respirations, shade, water and air movement to cool themselves. Watch for the symptoms and take the steps to prevent and manage heat stress in your herd.
Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle:
- Decreased feed intake
- Drop in milk production
- Restlessness
- Outdoor livestock crowding in the shade
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth and increased respiration
- In severe cases—open mouth and labored breathing
Heat Stress Prevention & Management Tips:
- Avoid working your cattle in extreme heat
- Use the coolness of early morning to work cattle in hot weather
- Evaluate cattle daily for signs of heat stress
- Keep an eye on heavier animals as they have a harder time compared to lighter cattle
- Introduce extra water tanks for cattle to become familiar with before the season of extreme heat begins; place as appropriate:
- Exit lanes from the barn
- Near feeding locations
- By cattle loafing area
- In the shade
- Provide ample shade and optimize airflow with efficient fans, open the sides of the barn; if outside, offer plenty of shade from trees or a lean-to
- Avoid overcrowding
- Ramp up fly control to prevent cattle from crowding and exerting more energy
- Install sprinklers or misters to cool the animals
Products to Help Cattle Stay Hydrated:
- BOVINE BLUELITE
Feed as a top-dress or add to drinking water as source of electrolytes and energy during times of heat stress - BOVINE BLUELITE 2BW
Feed as top-dress or add to drinking water as a source of electrolytes and direct-fed microbials; helps them maintain proper hydration during a heat wave - B.O.S. Bovine Oral Supplement
Use as a drench for cows experiencing reduced feed intake, heat stress or other metabolic disorders - Comfort for Ruminants
Feed additive to combat heat stress; provides comfort during times of environmental challenges - Stand Strong for Ruminants
- Add daily to the animals’ drinking water to help overcome heat stress and prevent reduced feed intake
