Access to shade, cool water essential for livestock in summer months

PINE BLUFF -- As the summer temperatures rise, livestock producers should make sure their animals have a way to keep cool, said David Fernandez, Extension livestock specialist and interim assistant dean of academic programs for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. Overheating can cause animals to lose their appetites, become fatigued and, in extreme cases, die.

Fernandez said animals gain heat through two processes -- conduction and radiation. Conduction occurs when heat is transferred from an object to an animal, such as when an animal is warmed as it lies on the hot ground. Radiation, on the other hand, occurs when sunlight strikes an animal's body and the resulting heat is absorbed.

Darker colored animals absorb more heat through radiation than light colored animals, he said. Some animals have light colored hair but dark-colored skin, so they can become warm faster than one might expect.

"Animals also generate heat internally as they metabolize feed and go about their daily movements," Fernandez said. "Between internal heat generation and external warming on hot days, an animal can overheat."

Overheating causes animals to stop eating and increases their heart and respiration rate. Severely affected animals can become weak and unable to stand. Extremely elevated temperatures -- over 107 degrees F -- can result in the animal's death.