Help Livestock Endure Heat and Humidity in Summer

— Written By and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Livestock producers can help their animals endure the stress from heat and humidity in a variety of ways. To reduce livestock heat stress in hot humid conditions, it is important to provide plenty of food, water, and shade, and maintain good animal health. Species specific management also helps producers reduce economic losses from heat stress.

Cows consume around 70% of their feed after midnight through early morning. The heat production from ruminant digestion is tremendous, and occurs about 4 hours after ingestion. Feed cattle on grain rations early in the morning, so they wont have to rely on feeding in the hottest part of the day. Endophyte infected fescue pastures increase heat stress, as the toxins elevate body temperature. Decreased milk production, decreased weight gains, and lowered reproductive efficiency result also. Diluting pure fescue stands with clovers, has continually shown to offset these effects in research. Access to an adequate cool, clean water supply that is centrally located, helps to reduce heat stress. Avoid giving access to ponds, as wading warms the water, contaminates it, and reduces animal intake. Provide shade, preferably in higher elevation areas to utilize wind currents for cooling.

Horses in particular have trouble maintaining body temp in hot humid conditions. Use the comfort index to determine whether or not horses should be worked or ridden. To calculate, add the relative humidity to the temperature and use the sum. 130 to 150, use caution, above 180, do not ride or work the horse. Healthy livestock handle heat stress better, so reduce stresses from diseases and internal and external parasites and you will help your livestock to endure the stress of summer heat and humidity.

two cows standing in a creek

Photo: Nigel Mykura – Wikimedia Commons