Farm & Flock— presented by Chicken Whisperer Magazine Keep Your Livestock Productive
• Poultry: Watch for drops in egg production, thinner shell quality and reduced feed intake.
• Swine: Especially vulnerable, since pigs can ' t sweat effectively. Wallows give outdoor pigs a way to cool down.
• Small ruminants: Hardy, but they still need shade, airflow and close monitoring. Shearing sheep before the worst heat helps.
• Horses: Horses are most vulnerable after long stretches of humidity. Pay attention to overor undersweating.
Michael Beiler, CEO of FarmCo, told AcreageLife to keep water clean and cool for horses.“ I think the biggest mistake here is making sure water stays out of the sun, because it really can get quite warm. In the barn, making sure your space supports airflow is big. Remembering to ventilate and create airflow at night in the summer is important, too! Nighttime is recovery time.”
Another common mistake is remembering that animals compete for resources. " It is critical to be sure you are providing adequate heat-mitigating resources for the entire group of animals to access at once," says Dr. Itle.“ Overcrowding under a single shade cloth can make things worse, not better, especially when you ' re mixing different ages, species or sexes. When choosing breeds, she suggests favoring genetics suited to your climate, noting that " short and light colored coats are more heat-tolerant than dark, thick-coated animals."
A Closer Look at Dairy Cattle
According to Washington State University Veterinary Medicine Extension ' s article, " The Effects of Heat Stress on Dairy Cattle Development, Health, and Performance," dairy cattle are especially vulnerable to prolonged heat stress. Dairy cows deserve special attention, because they ' re among the most heat-sensitive animals on the farm. Researchers use the temperaturehumidity index( THI) to gauge heat stress, and cows can start to struggle at a THI of just 68 to 70. Across many U. S. regions, summer conditions exceed that threshold for most of the season.
The effects show up across the board. Heat stress lowers milk production and dry-matter intake and reduces pregnancy rates compared to cooler months. Cows that calve in hot weather face higher odds of retained fetal membranes, ketosis, displaced abomasum, mastitis and metritis. Heat waves are even linked to higher cattle mortality. Heat-stressed cows stand for longer periods, which can contribute to lameness, and show elevated stress hormone levels.
The encouraging part is that heat-abatement strategies work. Shade, fans, water soakers and good ventilation all help cows maintain their performance during hot weather. Cooling systems for heifers and calves improve thermoregulation, feed intake and health. Nutritional tools and heat-tolerant genetics offer additional options worth discussing with your advisors.
Support Ongoing Productivity
Comfort and productivity go hand in hand. When an animal is fighting to stay cool, it isn ' t growing, milking or breeding at its best. That ' s why production changes are such useful early-warning signs.
Track your numbers, milk yield, feed intake, weight gain, egg counts and let any dip prompt a closer look. Dr. Itle stresses knowing what " normal " looks like for your animals, including respiratory rates and body temperatures so that you can catch problems early.
The smartest approach is prevention, not reaction. Don ' t wait until animals are visibly struggling. Build your heat plan before the heat arrives.
Late-summer heat doesn ' t have to derail your operation. The animals that come through it best are those of producers who plan ahead, watch closely and act early.
Focus on the fundamentals: cool, clean water at all times; ample shade with room to spread out; strong airflow and fans where appropriate; feeding during cooler hours; and minimal handling during the worst of the heat. For dairy cattle, especially, layered cooling with shade, fans and soakers can protect both health and production.
Keep an eye on the forecast, know what normal looks like for your animals and lean on your veterinarian for prevention plans and emergencies. As Dr. Itle reminds us, the goal is to stay prepared. A little proactive care now protects animal welfare and farm performance all season long.
16 AcreageLife August 2026 AcreageLife. com