With hot temperatures dogging the Plains and Western states, cattle producers will need to monitor their livestock for signs of heat stress, said Barry Whitworth, Oklahoma State University eastern Oklahoma area Extension food/animal quality and health specialist, in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner.
CATTLE COMFORT ZONE
Cattle are comfortable when the temperature is between 15 and 85° Fahrenheit, Whitworth said. When temperatures are above 85°, cows typically will try to find shade and/or by bellying deep in ponds.
Those are signs that producers should observe closely their cattle for heat stress, he said. Other signs of heat stress include increased respiration, open mouth breathing, breathing with protruding tongue and excessive salivation. Cattle displaying these signs need immediate relief.
A good way to provide quick relief is to spray or mist cattle with water, Whitworth said. Increasing air circulation also helps reduce heat stress. This can be done with large fans or by moving cattle to areas where there is natural wind.
If the heat stress continues, cattle will begin to tremble and convulse. These cattle are at risk of dying.
HIDDEN CONSEQUENCES
A lack of heat stress signs does not mean cattle are not being affected by the heat, Whitworth said. Hidden consequences include decreased conception rates, decreased sperm quality and reduced weight gain.
Managing heat stress should begin with making sure cattle have plenty of clean water, he said. During hot weather, cattle may drink up to two gallons of water a day per 100 pounds of body weight. Keeping water clean and cool encourages consumption, and it may require producers to clean water tanks frequently and to place them in the shade.
Other preventative measures include providing access to shaded areas, making sure cows have room to spread out, keeping brush low in pastures, feeding a few hours after the high daytime temperatures and controlling flies.
Flies force cattle to bunch up, he said. Cattle not fighting flies will maintain better separation, which allows for better airflow. Lastly, when working cattle, producers need to start early in the day and be finished before 10 AM.
A great source for managing heat stress in cattle is the Oklahoma Mesonet website (www.mesonet.org), Whitworth said. This website is the home of the Cattle Comfort Advisor, which is a great tool to manage heat stress in cattle. The site provides detailed information about heat and cold stress for cattle producers.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $121.51 to $127.50 per cwt, compared with last week’s weekly range of $124.26 to $125.75. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $192.32 to $197.23 per cwt, versus last week’s $197.57 to $203.18.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was down $0.45 per cwt at $347.58, while select was off $2.50 at $316.90. The choice/select spread widened to $30.68 from $28.63 with 76 loads of fabricated product and 31 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA reported Tuesday that basis bids for corn from livestock feeding operations in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.60 to $2.00 a bushel over the Sep futures and for southwest Kansas were unchanged at $0.40 over Sep, which settled at $5.44 1/2 a bushel, up $0.06 1/2.
Forty heifer contracts were tendered for delivery Tuesday against Aug cattle futures.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Monday was $156.60 per cwt up $0.87. This compares with Tuesday’s Aug contract settlement of $158.57 per cwt, up $0.37 and Sep’s $165.77, down $1.52.