Hot weather advice for livestock keepers
© For Farmers With temperatures across parts of the country topping 30C this week, RSPCA Assured is advising farmers to keep their livestock cool and be alert to the signs of heat stress.
Hot weather can cause serious welfare problems for farm animals, but there are steps farmers can take to prevent them from overheating.
“Knowing how to spot the signs of heat stress and how to prevent it is essential for the welfare of farmed animals,” said Emilie Wix, head of RSPCA Assured’s farming and technical engagement team.
See also: 5 tips to help ensure dairy cows drink enough water
Signs to look out for include open-mouth breathing, head extended, tongue protruding, profuse salivation and front legs held wide to increase lung volume, which is a sign of advanced heat stress.
Andrew Torrens, ruminant specialist at ForFarmers, added: “We don’t operate at our best when we’re hot and bothered and the same applies to cows.”
For dairy cattle, Mr Torrens advises, the ideal ambient temperature ranges between 5C and 25C, or lower if the humidity is higher.
“Once temperatures exceed this range, cows begin to show signs of heat stress such as panting and drooling.
“These self-regulating behaviours reduce feed intake, impacting overall productivity,” he said.
Steps to keep livestock cool
To avoid heat stress, RSPCA Assured recommends that housed animals have plenty of air flow and their housing is well ventilated by bringing in additional fans to keep air moving.
Giving animals plenty of shade and paying extra attention to water provision, ensuring there are no issues with access, as well as adding extra water troughs to reduce competition for water sources, are other measures farmers can take to keep livestock hydrated.
In high temperatures, cooling cattle down with water while they are waiting to be milked may also be helpful to stop them from experiencing heat stress.
RSPCA Assured added that transporting and handling animals in hot weather should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary and only be done during the coolest part of the day.