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Livestock Concepts, Inc.

**Hot weather tips for cattle**

Florida cattle specialists have developed some guidelines for recognizing heat stress in cattle. Their measures to recognize heat stress are as follows:                              

They need cooling …

1. If rectal temperatures exceed 102.5°, you need it. Pick a hot day and take the temperature of 10 cows. If the group averages more than 102.5°, you know they need cooling.
2. If respirations exceed 80 per minute, you need it. Again, count breaths per minute in a group of 10 cows and average.
3. If dry matter intake or milk production drops 10% or more in hot weather, you need it. Check feed intakes by weighing feed refusal for the day and subtracting from amount fed.

Electrolytes-Hot Weather

Potassium supplementation is essential for both feedlot cattle and dairy cattle under heat stress. Most university research indicates that the first element or electrolyte to be concerned about in heat stress is potassium. Cattle are known to secrete potassium through the skin when exposed to high temperature and humidity. BOVINE BLUELITE is a tasty, readily available source of potassium.

Cattle severely stressed from heat should be provided shade and fresh water in the shade.  Cattle not provided water in the shade tend to stay away from water tanks and automatic waterers. Upon becoming thirsty, they leave the shaded area to consume large amounts of water. Cattle consuming large volumes of water after coming out of the shade are candidates for bloat. Death from bloating is not uncommon in hot weather.

Products to remember for cows during heat stress:

• BOVINE BLUELITE CAPSULES – for individual cows showing heat stress
• BOVINE BLUELITE POWDER – in the drinking water for groups of cows with heat stress
• RUMEN YEAST CAPS PLUS – for cows that have gone off feed or dropped in dry matter intake by 10% or more. Contains niacin at ketosis prevention levels.