Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events.
Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in average daily gain, an increase in feed efficiency and reduction in water consumption.
Source: BEEF, January 18, 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: Temperature reaching the mid-80s on March 2, 2022 in the Kansas City area provides perspective for planning for cattle comfort in the coming months. Tarpoff shares advice on deploying shade structures correctly and to their best potential.
The orientation of the shade structure is key.