RAPID CITY, S.D. – In the American Dakota states, more than 3,000 cattle have reportedly been killed by the heat.
Located mainly in the eastern North Dakota and South Dakota border region, many of the dead animals were in feedlots away from cooling winds or dugouts, say South Dakota state officials.
While Montana producers have faced similar temperatures, losses haven’t been as serious as those in South Dakota.
Ekalaka, Mont., bison producer Mary Stange said her ranch had seen a week of 39 C temperatures by July 25 and with no end in sight. She said her husband Doug was standing guard over the water supply and the animals’ health.
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“They’re better than cattle in the heat, but they can still get into trouble when it gets this hot and dry,” she said.
South Dakota state officials are recommending producers spray herds with water in feedlot situations and provide shade wherever possible.
State veterinarians are recommending cattle be kept as cool as possible in the evening. Cooling the animals and the soil around them is critical to getting core temperatures down so the animals can withstand daytime temperatures.
Research has shown that limiting access to morning feedings can reduce the energy produced by animals during the day, said Tyler Melroe of South Dakota State University’s extension division.
“They need a chance to cool down and get their metabolisms under control,” he said.
