Nebraska's Cattle Under "Emergency Heat Stress"

Much of Nebraska's cattle will be in "Emergency" heat stress category Tuesday through Thursday according to USDA's cattle heat stress maps, which are calculated at the U-S Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center. UNL Extension Veterinarian Dee Griffin says that air flow and water are the keys to minimizing death loss. Move cattle out of pens that have air flow obstructions, divide pens of cattle and place part of the cattle in empty pens to increase their access to water, and avoid water restriction by leasing or purchasing water tanks/tubs. Griffin says cattle need 20 gallons of water and about half must be available in the middle of the afternoon. Black or dark red colored cattle are at greatest risk, and all naturally fed cattle are at a higher risk than conventional finished cattle.

Management options for heat stress can be found in two Nebguides, Feedlot Cattle number-G1409 (G-fourteen-oh-nine) and Dairy Cattle number-G1582 (G-fifteen-eighty-two).

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