Summer Heat Can Be Hard On Cattle
There is a famous painting of a cowboy riding through a snow storm carrying a calf, epitomizing the effects a bad winter can have on ranching. In this segment of OpenRange, we’ll hear how the heat of summer can be just as devastating on beef production. I’m Susan Allen, stay tuned. Dr. Terry Mader, Professor of Animal Science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently penned an article citing the importance of not underestimating the effects heat can have on cattle reproduction. He notes a study that covers 10 years of data from a herd of crossbred cows that found conception rates lower during summers when it's hot during the breeding season, than cooler summers. For each degree temperatures are above normal, conception rates tend to be reduced about 1 percent. Maders recommends minimizing cattle movement during breeding season, because activity can raise a cow's body temperature 1 to 2 degrees. On hot days work his advices is to work cattle very early in the morning and allow them two to three hours to cool down after moving. Plenty of clean water is one of the best tools for cooling cattle. Fly control is important as biting flies will significantly exacerbate heat stress. Make sure your bulls are kept cool as well as cows. In an abnormally hot year, conception rates could easily be reduced by as much as 6 to 8 percent just due to weather effects. It’s hard to think about a hot summer during a cool spring but a wise rancher is always planning ahead.
