Page 17 - MWC 08-5-2021s

Management Strategies The Midwest Cattleman · August 5, 2021 · P17

Can Help Reduce Heat

Stress Potential

With forecasters predict- 10:00 a.m.; modifying feed-
ing above-normal tempera- ing times; splitting cattle
tures and little wind for the between pens or reducing
next several days, ranchers stocking rate; maximizing
and feeders should take pre- airflow by removing obstruc-
cautions to protect livestock tions around facilities; in-
from heat stress, a challenge stalling shade structures
that costs the U.S. cattle in- and/or sprinklers, if possible;
dustry up to $370 million and providing plenty of cool,
in losses each year. These clean water. He said cattle
weather events are unavoid- should be fed 70% of their ra-
able, but management strat- tion as late in the evening as on top of each other,” Tarpoff and possibly intervention the
egies can help reduce the im- possible, which puts the peak said. following day. Livestock heat
pact. heat of digestion overnight Monitoring air tempera- stress forecast maps are pro-
According to Kansas State when temperatures likely ture, humidity, wind speed duced daily through the part-
University extension vet- are cooler. and cloud cover is an im- nership of the U.S. Meat Ani-
erinarian A.J. Tarpoff, the “If we feed animals within portant part of managing mal Research Center and the
best management practices the wrong period of time, we livestock heat stress. Over- National Weather Service.
for helping to reduce heat can actually increase their night lows higher than 74 KLA
stress are handling cattle heat load because the heat of degrees do not allow cattle
only during the coolest parts digestion and the heat from to adequately cool, requir-
of the day, preferably before the environment are building ing heightened observation

CONSIDER nal body tissues are delicate, within a herd and allow for a suited to their individual op-
continued from page 7 so technicians should take more thorough and effective eration and goals.”
(PAGs) that are used to de- care to avoid rough palpation response. Producers should North Dakota State
tect pregnancy remain in the or ultrasounds that can re- consult their veterinarian University Extension
cow after calving, a previous sult in damage and potential- to make informed decisions
pregnancy can provide inter- ly impact the cows’ pregnan- about what method is best
ference if the recommended cy status. He says that while
sampling period is not fol- the majority of embryonic
lowed. losses occur prior to day 28 of
Costs for pregnancy test- gestation, additional losses
ing typically are similar may occur up to day 60.
among methods and range What also is important to
from about $3 to $6 per head, remember is that stressors
with some potential for local such as handling, shipping
pricing differences. and heat stress can increase
“Each method of pregnan- the risk of losses for cattle
cy testing has associated in early pregnancy. Regard-
advantages and disadvan- less of the method being used
tages,” says Gerald Stokka, for pregnancy evaluation, SALE!
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NDSU Extension veterinari- working cattle quietly, keep- $ $ 24,900
24,900
an and livestock stewardship ing them calm and avoiding
specialist. “An experienced working them in extreme
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rectal palpator can identify temperatures to reduce risks 2021 W
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sues. Ultrasound can be used ditional evaluation may be 16" radial 10ply tires with spare • 2 center gates (1 with
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to estimate fetal age and de- necessary before winter feed- slider) rear combo gate • brite white nose
slider) rear combo gate • brite white nose
tect the presence of multiple ing programs begin to iden-
25,295
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“In addition, it can be used pregnancies.
to determine fetal sex when “Regardless of the man- 2022 Hillsboro
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a week or more to receive re- tive females and reducing
sults.” associated feed and produc- OTHER MODELS AVAILABLE, CALL FOR INFORMATION
Zac Carlson, NDSU Exten- tion costs,” Block says. “Early
sion beef cattle specialist, re- pregnancy testing also can
minds producers that inter- identify reproductive issues