Cattlemen enter need to understand and deal with heat and humidity. Rob Eirich, Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance director, says consider incorporating the following practices into management plans to help reduce additional stress.

First, he says, it is important to understand the relationship between temperature and humidity in respect to the Temperature Humidity Index, or Heat Index. The accompanying Cattle THI Chart will help to determine the risk level in planning cattle handling during the summer months. Cattlemen need to be aware of the risk of heat stress based on weather forecast.

Nebraska's Beef Quality Assurance director shares practices to lower cattle stress in summer heat.

Handling cattle early in the mornings before temperatures get too high is always recommended. Plan to handle cattle before 8 a.m. and never after 10 a.m. during summer months. Remember that the animal's core temperature peaks approximately two hours after the environmental temperature peaks, and takes four to six hours to lower back to normal temperature. With this in mind, you shouldn't believe that handling cattle in the evening will reduce the risk of heat stress, Eirich says.

When processing cattle during high-heat seasons, work cattle in smaller groups, so cattle are not standing in the holding area much longer than 30 minutes. Cattlemen should consider facilities that are shaded, with good air flow, to help reduce the heat.

A sprinkler system may assist in cooling the area, if the water droplet size is large. Never over-crowd working facilities, work cattle slowly, and use low-stress handling techniques. Remember that processing cattle elevates the animal's core temperature, no matter the external temperature.

Cattle movements should be short distances during hot seasons, according to Eirich. Strategic planning on pen movements can assist in reducing unnecessary movements and potential heat stress. Moving heavier cattle closer to loading facilities throughout the feeding period can benefit in managing heat effects.

When planning or improving cattle handling and feeding facilities, cattlemen need to consider air flow, shade and sprinkler systems for cooling livestock. These considerations can reduce the danger of heat stress on livestock and improve feeding efficiencies during hot temperature periods.

Another important thing to remember is that compromised animals are at higher risk for heat stress. Sick or lame animals are usually running higher temperatures than normal (average temperature for a beef animal is 101.5 degrees F). This, combined with hot temperature and high humidity, raises the risk of heat stress. Producers will need to take extra precautions with these animals to provide additional resources like shade and cooling.

Summer can be challenging for many cattle producers. By implementing some handling guidelines, cattlemen can reduce the risk level of heat stress and improve cattle performance, he says.

The Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance website, bqa.unl.edu, has additional resources and links available for more information on cattle handling, processing, and facility design.

For more information about Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance or to get BQA certification, contact Rob Eirich, UNL Extension educator, at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center by calling 308-632-1230 or [email protected].