Heat stress can greatly impact cattle producers through decreased milk
production and subsequent calf growth, decreased reproductive
performance in cows and bulls, and decreased stocker and feeder
performance. It has been estimated that heat-related events in the
Midwest have cost the cattle industry over $75 million in the past 10
years. As summer approaches, make preparations to reduce the risk of
heat stress in your cattle.
The ideal temperature range for beef cattle is between 41° F and 77° F.
When temperatures exceed this, cattle are at risk of heat stress. Many
environmental factors affect the potential for heat stress, including
relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, ground cover, access to
water, diet, shade and nighttime temperatures. In addition, individual
animal characteristics can contribute to heat stress. These include hide
color, breed, health, adaptation, hair coat length and disposition. When
a combination of these factors and ambient temperature cause an animal's
heat load to exceed its ability to dissipate that heat, heat stress
occurs.
Identifying Heat Stress
When heat stressed, cattle exhibit many physical and behavioral changes.
Heat-stressed animals will have increased body temperatures, increased
water consumption, decreased feed consumption and decreased weight
gains. These changes may be subtle and difficult to recognize or
impractical to measure. Fortunately, there are many signs of heat stress
that are easy to recognize. The most obvious are cattle congregating in
shady areas or standing in ponds, and decreased grazing activity. You
may also notice cattle panting. According to the USDA's Agricultural
Research Service, more than 90 breaths per minute is an indication of
heat stress, and a respiration rate over 110 indicates a dangerous heat
stress level.
Tools are available to help producers identify conditions that are
potentially dangerous for cattle. The Livestock Weather Hazard Guide
provides guidelines that indicate the potential of heat stress at
different temperatures and relative humidity.
Another way to monitor heat stress conditions in your area is the Heat
Stress Forecast. The USDA has developed a Web site that reports heat
stress forecasts for the central United States. These forecasts provide
a more accurate prediction because they account for wind speed and solar
radiation in addition to temperature and humidity. This Web site can be
found at: www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=17130.
Managing Heat Stress
Provide fresh, clean water to cattle at all times. Water intake
increases during times of heat stress, so make sure that piped water can
refill tanks fast enough to keep up with cattle demand. If ponds are the
only source of water, monitor water quality throughout hot, dry periods.
Be sure that cattle have adequate shade. If shade is limited, heat
stress can be compounded by animals crowding together.
If possible, avoid working and transporting cattle during periods of
heat stress. If cattle must be worked or rotated to a new pasture, do it
as early as possible in the morning.
Heat stress can also affect the reproductive performance of cows and
bulls so plan your breeding season to avoid the hottest months. Keep in
mind that heat stress can impact semen quality for up to eight weeks.
Be prepared by planning now for heat stress. As hot weather approaches,
monitor the Heat Stress Forecast or use your local conditions with the
Livestock Weather Hazard Guide to determine the potential for heat
stress in your cattle. You can find this and past articles on the web
at http://www.mycountrytractor.com/ for your reference. Extension
programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race,
color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M
University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County
Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless
of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or
national origin. ThAgriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Thank you,
Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
Mycountrytractor.com is the destination for those looking for community info. Mycountrytractor is involved with county events and child involvement to help support local 4-H and FFA events. We have wonderful Agriculture information for our visitors for all your farming and ranching needs
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chute "N" The Bull 6-15-10
At a workshop in April 2009, we discussed low-stress cattle handling techniques with beginning cattle producers. The review was also helpful to remind experienced cattlemen of the techniques we need to employ when handling cattle.
Ag Research Associate Kent Shankles demonstrates proper cattle sorting technique at the Noble Foundation's Oswalt Road Ranch. Proper positioning and use of pressure reduces stress while handling cattle.
A common misconception is that "low-stress" must mean "no pressure." That is absolutely false. Cattle, like all other animals, respond to appropriate application and release of pressure. There are times when significant pressure must be applied to get the animals to move how and when you need. Pressure, used appropriately, does not cause long-term, harmful stress.
A good cattle handler understands two key principals: flight zone (the "bubble" around an animal that, if invaded by a handler, will cause the animal to move away) and point of balance (the point, usually around the front shoulder, at which pressure in front of that point will cause the animal to stop or back up, and vice versa). When a stockman is at the edge of the flight zone and properly balanced, only slight movements are needed to control the animals in a low-stress manner. To make cattle speed up, walk against their direction of travel; to make them slow down, walk with them. As you pass the point of balance, notice how each animal responds to your movement and position.
A good stockman will stay quiet when working cattle. If cattle aren't doing what you want, it is not because they can't hear or see you. It is because you are in the wrong place doing the wrong thing. Don't yell and scream, and don't make wild movements. Move calmly, purposefully and in straight lines. Cattle will be able to predict your movements and respond appropriately to them. If you move like a predator (hesitating, followed by sudden movements and in curves around them), the cattle will treat you like a predator.
A good stockman is patient. The cattle don't care that you are late for dinner. Keep doing the right things until the cattle respond correctly. After you have mastered the art of stockmanship, you can usually work cattle quickly when you need to. But realize that if you make cattle do something before they are ready to do it, then it is no longer low-stress handling.
Train cattle how to behave every time you are with them. Go to the pen or pasture, and use these techniques to just move them around, teaching them to respond. If possible, move cattle through your corrals on their way to feed or to another pasture. Always make your cattle walk past you, single file, out of a gate. Don't let them run wildly, or they will hurt themselves and you, tear up your gates and be stressed when they finally stop.
When moving cattle from a pasture, ignore the few cattle that quit the herd. If you drive the main herd in a low-stress manner, and don't chase the few on the edge, they will usually come back to the herd of their own volition.
Work to incorporate these habits, and they will make you a better stockman. And don't say, "I'll try." "Try" is an excuse to fail. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating .
Thank you,
Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
Ag Research Associate Kent Shankles demonstrates proper cattle sorting technique at the Noble Foundation's Oswalt Road Ranch. Proper positioning and use of pressure reduces stress while handling cattle.
A common misconception is that "low-stress" must mean "no pressure." That is absolutely false. Cattle, like all other animals, respond to appropriate application and release of pressure. There are times when significant pressure must be applied to get the animals to move how and when you need. Pressure, used appropriately, does not cause long-term, harmful stress.
A good cattle handler understands two key principals: flight zone (the "bubble" around an animal that, if invaded by a handler, will cause the animal to move away) and point of balance (the point, usually around the front shoulder, at which pressure in front of that point will cause the animal to stop or back up, and vice versa). When a stockman is at the edge of the flight zone and properly balanced, only slight movements are needed to control the animals in a low-stress manner. To make cattle speed up, walk against their direction of travel; to make them slow down, walk with them. As you pass the point of balance, notice how each animal responds to your movement and position.
A good stockman will stay quiet when working cattle. If cattle aren't doing what you want, it is not because they can't hear or see you. It is because you are in the wrong place doing the wrong thing. Don't yell and scream, and don't make wild movements. Move calmly, purposefully and in straight lines. Cattle will be able to predict your movements and respond appropriately to them. If you move like a predator (hesitating, followed by sudden movements and in curves around them), the cattle will treat you like a predator.
A good stockman is patient. The cattle don't care that you are late for dinner. Keep doing the right things until the cattle respond correctly. After you have mastered the art of stockmanship, you can usually work cattle quickly when you need to. But realize that if you make cattle do something before they are ready to do it, then it is no longer low-stress handling.
Train cattle how to behave every time you are with them. Go to the pen or pasture, and use these techniques to just move them around, teaching them to respond. If possible, move cattle through your corrals on their way to feed or to another pasture. Always make your cattle walk past you, single file, out of a gate. Don't let them run wildly, or they will hurt themselves and you, tear up your gates and be stressed when they finally stop.
When moving cattle from a pasture, ignore the few cattle that quit the herd. If you drive the main herd in a low-stress manner, and don't chase the few on the edge, they will usually come back to the herd of their own volition.
Work to incorporate these habits, and they will make you a better stockman. And don't say, "I'll try." "Try" is an excuse to fail. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating .
Thank you,
Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)