Ag Specialists Say Summer Heat Takes A Toll On Central KY Livestock

 By Stu Johnson

Most all Kentuckians have just weathered a very hot weekend, with some communities close to hitting triple-digit temperatures. Farmers are familiar with these challenges, but it doesn’t make them any easier.

Air conditioning for cattle just isn’t found on the farm, so the objective is to direct livestock to an area with shade and plenty of water. Temperatures are predicted to be much lower this week. Beau Neal is Fayette County’s extension agent for agriculture. He said up and down temps, particularly in the fall, can cause respiratory concerns.

“The consistency a lot of times from a health standpoint is more advantageous and easier on cattle producers, whether it’s consistently warm or consistently cold,” said Neal.

Areas of Kentucky have experienced varying degrees of drought this summer. Neal said hay cuttings are important to stockpile feed for cattle over the winter months. And Neal added the second cutting this fall can be counted on for a third to a half of the supply.

Matt Collins is farm manager at Eastern Kentucky University. EKU’s Meadowbrook Farm has 42 dairy cows and a hundred beef cattle. Collins said the dairy cows are inside the barn about 24/7.

“They don’t handle heat very well. During the summertime milk production will lower whenever they get heat stress so we try to keep as much fans and misters on them to try to keep them as comfortable as possible. So we can maintain a high level of milk production,” said Collins.