how are your cattle taking the heat??

[copperhead46]

It's been in the high 90's for the last few days and supposed to be 103 by Sunday. I was watching my cows today and several of them were panting like dogs, they're just miserable. They have shade and access to fresh dringing water, but I feel so bad for them. Does anyone have any other suggestions to help them through this?? Plus, the flies are eating them alive, just to ad to the misery.
P.J.

[Country Bumpkin]

hey neighbor! i don't think we live too far away from each other, but anyhoo, we've got fans set up around the barn to help move air when the wind ain't blowing. also been putting electrolites in their water. for the most part the congregate under the trees or in front of the fans. but those along with the electrolites seems to be helping them deal with the heat pretty decent.

[commonsense]

what electrolytes are you using?

[ksfarmer]

I heard reports this morning of large death losses in Kansas and Nebraska feedlots from the heat and humidity. One lost 300 head so far. A small feeder close by here has lost 8. Thats still a large monetary lose for him. He is using an old fire truck to try misting to cool them.

[Country Bumpkin]

bounce back. it's a great product, we've been using it since the weather has turned hot & humid and have no complaints. we also put it in our pigs' water as well, them and the cows seem to like it just fine

[Country Bumpkin]

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

I heard reports this morning of large death losses in Kansas and Nebraska feedlots from the heat and humidity. One lost 300 head so far. A small feeder close by here has lost 8. Thats still a large monetary lose for him. He is using an old fire truck to try misting to cool them.

thats so sad they've lost so many but this year is looking to be a dandy one for heat & humidity. hopefully the fire truck idea will work for him and he won't lose anymore than he has to this weather.

[65284]

My cows seem to be doing okay. Plenty of water, shade in a spot where there is almost always a breeze, and they take frequent dips in the pond.

[copperhead46]

Hey Country Bumpkin what part of the great state of Oklahoma are you in?? I'm in the northeast corner, east of Salina.
Where do you get the Bounce Back, I'll sure try that. I went to TSC today and got permithrin, and fly bait, and fly traps, it's all out war ! I put fly masks on my horses, and sprayed them too.
I don't have a pond for them to stand in, but I do have a creek, so I think I'll open the gate and let them get down in there and maybe stay cool that way.
P.J.

[Country Bumpkin]

Originally Posted by copperhead46

Hey Country Bumpkin what part of the great state of Oklahoma are you in?? I'm in the northeast corner, east of Salina.
Where do you get the Bounce Back, I'll sure try that. I went to TSC today and got permithrin, and fly bait, and fly traps, it's all out war ! I put fly masks on my horses, and sprayed them too.
I don't have a pond for them to stand in, but I do have a creek, so I think I'll open the gate and let them get down in there and maybe stay cool that way.
P.J.

i'm in inola, between catoosa and chouteau. i buy the bounce back at stillwater milling in claremore but you can also get it at atwoods. i have seen the small pouches of it at TSC but not the bigger bags. i got the heat problem covered but the fly problem is giving me fits lol. they are my biggest problem right now...

melissa

[ozark_jewels]

Miserably.
The Home milking Jerseys are doing fine, staying in the pond, and even grazing in the full sun.
The dairy herd on the contrary is miserable. We have started feeding hay in the shade by the water tub. They stay there all day long. The Holstiens take it particularly bad. They stand with sides heaving and tongues lolling, drool puddles at their feet. Milk production is way down, but so far no real problems. Preg-checked yesterday, that was miserable too.
Poor ladies, its another scorcher out there today.

[Callieslamb]

Mine sit in the shade as much as possible and are drinking 2x as much water as before. I feel badly that I put the in the barn at night as it is pretty hot in there too.

[Country Bumpkin]

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

Mine sit in the shade as much as possible and are drinking 2x as much water as before. I feel badly that I put the in the barn at night as it is pretty hot in there too.

if you have electric in your barn you might consider hanging up box fans to help move some air for them. we did that in our barn and outside of it too. ours sometimes go in the barn to sleep at night and the fans do help. just a suggestion

[Callieslamb]

we thought maybe one of those big fans they use on construction sites would work well - the DH could use it in his shop.

[Country Bumpkin]

they would love you for that

[mamahen]

We use an older blower from a furnace. Wouldn't work with curious kitties around, but the heifer loves it.

We haven't had the heat as bad as some so far. But my guys lay in full sun to take a nap! With plenty of shade and trees to lay under.

The only ones that lay in the shade are the goats!

Flies are horrible this year, and we even used fly predators for awhile. Gave up when we saw no difference, or maybe even more flies!! Horse flies especially! Even with my back turned I know when my animals are coming up behind me. You can hear the buzzing!

[copperhead46]

I'm spraying every 3rd day, have fly masks on the horses, and put out Marlin fly bait, and some kind of yellow sticky paper on a roll. it's war on the fly's, they just make everything miserable.
P.J.

[ozark_jewels]

The heat broke two days ago and the cows look sooooooo much happier! No more drooling, they actually graze again in the middle of the day, and they chew their cuds while waiting to be milked.
Now....if we could just get some rain.

[Country Bumpkin]

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

Now....if we could just get some rain.

yes, we really do need some rain. it's way too dry here

[spinandslide]

We've had a steady week of 100 plus temps. my pastured cow and calf have taken it well...but this cow has always taken the heat good..when other cows are wallowing in tanks, shes out grazing..love that brimmer in her But I have seen her in the shaded tank a time or two the past week.

the heifer I have pulled up has access to shade and I will hose her off when I can..my husband says shes spoiled..