Most of the Central U.S. is subject to recurring heat waves that can have significant financial impact on cattle producers. In the last ten years there have been several heat events in the Midwest; direct and indirect financial losses for these events are estimated at more than $75 million for the cattle industry, alone. Weather events are unavoidable, but management strategies can reduce the impact of heat waves. Advance notice, combined with heat stress management plans, can help minimize losses.
The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has developed a site to provide cattle heat stress estimates based on the National Weather Service seven-day forecasts and heat stress research done at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. For more information on forecast methods, please visit the ARS Cattle Heat Stress Forecast webpage.
For more information on recognizing heat stress in cattle, click here: read more…
For more information on mitigating the effects of heat on cattle, click here: read more…
For additional factors such as genetics, production status and health, that can leave some cattle more prone to heat stress, read more…
To get heat stress alerts sent to your email, click here.