Keeping your cattle healthy and cared-for is always a challenge, especially in the summer when temperatures start to soar. In addition to providing the livestock feed and water your herd needs, you’ll also have to take steps to shield them from the worst of the sun and the heat. Below are a few tips for taking care of your livestock in the summer.

3 Tips for Protecting Cattle From the Heat

1. Use High-Quality Livestock Feed

Digestion generates heat, which drives up an animal’s body temperature and creates additional stress. Most experts believe that using high-quality feed creates less heat than lower-quality forage with more fiber. You may also want to shift your feeding schedule. Let them eat at least two hours after the hottest part of the day, so their digestion isn’t creating additional heat during peak temperatures.

2. Build Some Shade

Shade can give your cattle a place to hide from the sun, but the location should be chosen carefully. Animals often prefer to be up on a ridge or other location with a breeze, rather than in declivities or along streams with biting flies. If you keep your cattle in smaller lots, installing fans and misters can keep them cool.

3. Provide Adequate Water

Livestock feed and foliage contain some water, which can fulfill some of your animals’ hydration requirements. However, they will require more water as temperatures climb, so ensure they have an adequate supply, especially during the hottest part of the day. Generally, their needs will double in sweltering temperatures to 24 to 30 gallons per head. 

As the best farm supply store in the Midway, AR, area, Gregg Farm Services offers an expansive inventory of livestock feed and other items. Their helpful staff take the time to get to know each of their clients, and will help find the food and other products you need. Visit their website for more on their livestock feed supplies, follow their Facebook for more tips and advice, or call (870) 481-5165 with any questions.