Tend-R-Leen: The original no-roughage feeding program

Livestock suffer when summer temperatures and humidity rise together. The combined effect of high temperature and humidity limits the animal’s ability to get rid of excess body heat. Severe heat stress can lead to loss of performance and even death.

The Livestock Safety Index classifies weather conditions into alert, danger, and emergency situations for livestock. The following table shows minimum relative humidity levels for each index category at different temperatures.

Temp	Relative Humidity
	ALERT	DANGER	EMERGENCY
80^o F	55%	90%
85^o F	30%	60%	90%
90^o F	15%	35%	65%
95^o F		20%	45%
100^o F		10%	30%

Source: Iowa Beef Center

Follow these steps to manage heat stress.

Cattle do not handle heat stress as well as humans. SO while we may be uncomfortable on those 90 degree days, your cattle may actually be suffering more severe symptoms. The key to minimizing heat stress is to try to prevent and lessen the effects of the heat by implementing a heat stress management plan.

1. Have ample water available. Make sure that your water supply can keep up with the demand of the number of animals in the lot.

Water requirements for feedlot cattle (Gallons/Day) Temperature

Animal Type	Weight (lbs)	40°F	70°F
Growing Calves Finishing Cattle	400 600 800 800 1000	4.0 5.3 6.3 7.3 8.7	5.8 7.8 9.2 10.7 12.6

2. Avoid handling cattle if possible. If you need to work with your steers, consider doing it before 10 am, before temps start to climb.

3. If steers are not on a self feeder, consider moving feeding time towards evening, 2 to 4 hours after peak temperatures.

4. Improve air flow in pens.

5. If cattle are in open lots, provide adequate shade for all animals.

Watch for signs of heat stress.

Bunching in shade (if it's available)
Slobbering
High respiratory rates (panting)
Open mouth breathing
Lack of coordination
Trembling

If your cattle are showing these signs of heat stress, you must take immediate action to alleviate the heat stress conditions. Move cattle to a shade where there is adequate ventilation. Offer a constant supply of fresh water. If possible, use sprinklers to help cool cattle down. Also, if you must move cattle, do so gently and quietly to avoid stressing them more.

Make adjustments for handling feed during hot weather.

1. During hot months, keep supply on hand for a maximum of one month.

2. Store feed in bins when possible. Floor, wagon, and other methods will work, but due to the nature of pellet it can draw moisture which will cause breakdown.

3. Handle feed through augers as little as possible.

4. Put Tend-R-Leen pellet in mixer after corn and mix for as short as possible. (It doesn't take much to mix.)

5. Don't store corn/pellet mix for more than one week if possible, especially during hot months.

6. Watch corn to maintain a moisture level below 15% and keep corn temperature within 20% of outside temperature. Cold corn will sweat on hot days and moisture will go into the pellets.

7. Clean feeders and keep them properly adjusted.

8. Use good bin management by completely cleaning out the bin every couple of months.

Did You Know . . .

Facts and information from the National Cattlemen's Beef Board

ü The average American farmer produces enough food and fiber to feed 129 other people for a year.

ü The hindquarter of a beef animal provides more tender steaks and other cuts, with less fat and bone. The front quarter has a greater amount of fat and bone, and less tender cuts generally.

ü The cattle industry is the largest segment of American agriculture

ü There are 29 lean cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean.

ü Calorie for calorie, beef is one of the most nutrient rich foods.

ü On average, lean beef has about one more gram of saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast.

ü Top quality leather basketballs are made from cowhides. About 12 basketballs can be made from one hide. Other byproducts of cattle and beef production are extensive. Among them is epinephrine, which is derived from the adrenal glands and is used to treat asthma and allergies; thrombin, obtained from cattle blood and used in helping clot blood; liver extract, used in treating anemia; and insulin, which can be taken from the pancreas of cattle for treatment of diabetes