Posted by Administrator on January 01 2003 00:00
Heat Stress
Beef Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2003
In preparing for summer feeding, consider these aspects to create an adequate water source.
Space:
When the weather gets hot, cattle like to congregate around the water sources, so we need to make sure there is plenty of space available for all cattle to eliminate crowding and bunching. When cattle bunch up, it decreases the rate of evaporation, compounding the effects of the heat.
The easiest way to do this is to add additional temporary tanks to the yard. It is best to have the extra space available to the cattle before adverse conditions arrive to allow the cattle time to become accustomed to all sources.
Flow:
Water needs to flow at a rate fast enough to provide all needs within a 4-8 hour period. On hot days, we can expect that water demand will be double what it is on a normal day.
Quality:
Cattle will be more likely to consume adequate water if it is clean and fresh. Making sure waters are clean and functioning properly will pay big dividends.
Backup:
Have an emergency plan to accommodate water needs should a well fail or water main break. A local elevator or fire department may be good resources, but we need to be sure that equipment used to haul water is free of chemical or fertilizer residue.
Altering the feeding schedule also has a profound effect on the ability of cattle to handle the heat. After cattle have consumed a meal, their body temperature will reach a peak approximately 3 hours later. By switching our feed delivery time to late afternoon or early evening, we avoid peaking the metabolic body temperature at the hottest part of the day. If cattle are fed on a twice a day feeding, consider delivering 30% of daily needs in morning and 70% in the late day feeding.
The physical structure of the yard contributes to how well cattle will perform in the summer months. An open yard with a good mound and a lot of space per head is ideal. Although this is ideal, it is not always practical, consider placing the heaviest and or the newest cattle in the most ideal situations. Avoid having heavy cattle in lots with a lot of 'dead air'. As the cattle get heavier, the more trouble they have handling extreme weather conditions. Keeping vegetation short within a 150 foot perimeter of the feedlot will facilitate wind movement through the lot.
These few tips will help you and your cattle make it through the 'dog days' of summer. If you would like more information on how to best make these suggestions work in your operation, please contact one of our veterinarians or one of the Prairie Livestock Supply sales staff. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.