HEAT STRESS HELP
July and August are here. There is a little relief for the farmers working in the fields during July and August. Our animals, however, need to keep working. Please remember to take steps to mitigate the stress that comes with higher temperatures and humidity. Our animals dislike the excessive heat, humidity, and stagnant air.
Some considerations for your holistic management plan may include:
Strategically locating your animals in areas with shade is the first step.
Easy access to fresh clean water. Ideally you never want your livestock to walk more than 100 yards for access to water.
Free choice minerals – most importantly salt. Should be within 50 feet of the water sources in the pastures or barnyard.
The second most important is Kelp. This is significant during the summer heat and exposure to direct sunlight. Research has been conducted on multiple occasions with differing results. Don Spiers, University of Missouri, found 1%reduction in body temperature in cattle consuming kelp meal at 1%of their diets.
Vinegar, while there is no scientific proof, apple cider vinegar has been used for hundreds of years to mitigate heat stress. Adding ACV at ½ oz. per gallon of drinking water for ruminants may help reduce heat stress. While for monogastric animals 1 oz. per gallon of drinking water has shown beneficial. Just a few ideas to take the edge off summer heat.