Teagasc is advising farmers to ensure cattle have adequate water supplies over the coming days as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 30°C.
In hot weather, cattle need 1.5 to 2.0 times more water than their normal requirements, Teagasc has said.
If temperatures pass 21°C, lactating suckler cows will need around 64 litres of water per day, non-lactating sucklers will need 33 litres.
Bullocks and heifers weighing 360kg will need around 35kg, with animals in the 450kg to 640kg needing anywhere from 44 to 56 litres per day.
Heat load
“Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool down. A compounding factor on top of climatic conditions is the fermentation process within the rumen which generates additional heat that cattle need to dissipate.
“Since cattle do not dissipate heat effectively they accumulate a heat load during the day and dissipate heat at night when it is cooler,” the authority said.
“The water requirements of cattle increases during heat stress. Cattle lose water from increased respiration and perspiration.
“Additionally, consumption of water is the quickest method for cattle to reduce their core body temperature. Therefore, water consumption will be greater than typical metabolic requirements,” Teagasc said.
On the grazing front, the advice is that cattle should be rotated in the evening rather than the morning and that paddocks that allow access to temporary shade or trees during the heat of the day should be grazed.
Teagasc has the following facts about cattle and heat stress:
Heavy cattle cannot handle heat stress compared to lighter weight cattle.Increased fat deposition prevents cattle from regulating their heat effectively.Solar radiation is a critical component that can lead to death loss from heat stress.Typically, more black hided cattle die during heat waves then other hide colours. Cattle that had severe respiratory disease early in the feeding period will have decreased ability to regulate their heat load. Read more
Temperatures set to soar past 27°C
Beef Management Notes: hot weather issues, mastitis and SCEP weighing dates
Dairy Management: managing grass as growth rates drop in south and east
Teagasc is advising farmers to ensure cattle have adequate water supplies over the coming days as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 30°C.
In hot weather, cattle need 1.5 to 2.0 times more water than their normal requirements, Teagasc has said.
If temperatures pass 21°C, lactating suckler cows will need around 64 litres of water per day, non-lactating sucklers will need 33 litres.
Bullocks and heifers weighing 360kg will need around 35kg, with animals in the 450kg to 640kg needing anywhere from 44 to 56 litres per day.
Heat load
“Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool down. A compounding factor on top of climatic conditions is the fermentation process within the rumen which generates additional heat that cattle need to dissipate.
“Since cattle do not dissipate heat effectively they accumulate a heat load during the day and dissipate heat at night when it is cooler,” the authority said.
“The water requirements of cattle increases during heat stress. Cattle lose water from increased respiration and perspiration.
“Additionally, consumption of water is the quickest method for cattle to reduce their core body temperature. Therefore, water consumption will be greater than typical metabolic requirements,” Teagasc said.
On the grazing front, the advice is that cattle should be rotated in the evening rather than the morning and that paddocks that allow access to temporary shade or trees during the heat of the day should be grazed.
Teagasc has the following facts about cattle and heat stress:
Heavy cattle cannot handle heat stress compared to lighter weight cattle.Increased fat deposition prevents cattle from regulating their heat effectively.Solar radiation is a critical component that can lead to death loss from heat stress.Typically, more black hided cattle die during heat waves then other hide colours. Cattle that had severe respiratory disease early in the feeding period will have decreased ability to regulate their heat load. Read more
Temperatures set to soar past 27°C
Beef Management Notes: hot weather issues, mastitis and SCEP weighing dates
Dairy Management: managing grass as growth rates drop in south and east
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