When that West Texas sun starts cooking the ground, and the temps soar past 100 degrees, it’s not just miserable for you—it’s brutal for your cattle, too. Imagine standing out in the middle of a pasture all day, wrapped in a leather jacket, with no breeze, no shade, and no cold drink in sight. That’s what your cows are dealing with during a summer heatwave.
Heat stress in cattle is not just a bad day; it’s a serious threat to your operation. It can lead to poor weight gain, lower milk production, reduced breeding success, and, in severe cases, death. Cattle can’t sweat like we do, so when the heat builds up and they can’t cool off, their health—and your bottom line—starts taking a hit.
The good news is that you can take some practical steps to keep them cooler and more comfortable, even when the heat won’t let up. This post walks you through the top three ways to help your herd beat the heat. These tips, from simple shade setups to clever water placement and even feeding adjustments, are all practical and can make a real difference. Whether you’ve got ten head or a few hundred, a little extra care during the hottest part of the year can keep your cattle healthier, more productive, and less stressed.
Because out here, we all know one thing—when the weather turns up the heat, it’s up to us to help our herd stay strong through it.
1. Provide Ample Shade—Natural or Man-Made
One of the simplest—and most effective—ways to help your cattle beat the heat is by providing them with shade. Whether it’s natural tree cover, a well-placed barn, or even a simple shade structure, these options offer a much-needed relief from the scorching sun. Direct sunlight can quickly turn a hot day into a dangerous one for livestock, especially when there’s no breeze. The shade allows them to cool off, rest, and recover, which helps reduce stress and keeps them eating and gaining. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just something that offers relief from the blazing sun can make a big difference.
Types of Shade That Work:
- Natural Shade: Trees, brush lines, and hillsides offer relief if you’ve got them on your land. Natural shade tends to be cooler due to evapotranspiration from leaves.
- Portable Shade Structures: If your pasture is wide open, consider using portable shade structures. These can be moved with the herd and offer flexibility depending on the grazing rotation.
- Shade Cloth or Tarps: For a budget-friendly option, heavy-duty tarps or shade cloth mounted on poles can provide decent coverage. Just make sure they’re secure and high enough to allow good airflow underneath.
Strategic Placement Tips:
- Place shade near water and feeding areas to keep cattle from walking long distances in the heat.
- If using temporary setups, rotate shade to avoid overgrazing one spot and damaging pasture.
Don’t underestimate the power of shade. It doesn’t just keep cattle cool—it keeps them calm, keeps feed intake steady, and supports better gains.
2. Maximize Access to Clean, Cool Water
Water is always essential for your cattle, but it becomes absolutely critical in the West Texas heat. When temps soar into the triple digits, cattle can drink two gallons of water for every 100 pounds of
body weight—sometimes even more. That means a full-grown, 1,400-pound cow might go through 25 to 30 gallons in just one day. If you’ve got a herd, those numbers add up fast, and a shortage can lead to severe stress or even dehydration. Bottom line: during a heatwave, your water supply needs to be ready to keep up.
But having water available isn’t enough—it must be the right kind. Stale, muddy, or algae-covered troughs won’t cut it when your animals are already under heat stress. It’s our responsibility to keep tanks clean and try to place them in shaded areas if possible so the water stays cooler than the surrounding air. Cattle are more likely to drink enough when the water is fresh and inviting. Check water levels and flow daily, especially during peak summer months—because if the water stops, everything else starts going wrong in a hurry.
Tips to Keep Water Cool and Accessible:
- Check Troughs Early and Often. In high heat, Troughs can dry faster than usual. Check multiple times a day.
- Shade Your Tanks: A little shade over your water source can go a long way. Use a tarp, build a simple frame, or plant a hardy brush near troughs.
- Use Float Valves: These help keep tanks full automatically so cattle always have access to water without you having to manually refill.
- Prevent Algae and Slime Buildup: Clean tanks regularly, especially in the summer, to prevent bacteria that can discourage drinking or cause health problems.
- Bonus Tip: Freeze large jugs of water (or milk jugs) and toss them into water tanks to help keep temperatures down in small setups.
Hydration is your herd’s first line of defense against heat. Without it, even the best shade in the world won’t help for long.
3. Adjust Your Routine—Work Early or Late, Not Midday
Just like you wouldn’t want to be out fixing the fence in the blazing sun at 2 PM in August, your cattle don’t want to be up and moving, either. Working them—or even expecting them to graze—during the hottest part of the day puts extra strain on their bodies and can quickly lead to heat stress. A simple shift in routine, like moving feedings to early morning or late evening, can go a long way in keeping them cool and comfortable. The same goes for any handling—try to schedule vaccinations, weaning, or moving pastures when the temps are lower. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to protecting your herd in the heat.
Feed Timing:
- Cattle generate internal heat during digestion, especially when consuming fibrous feeds like hay.
- Best Time to Feed: Early morning or late evening, when ambient temperatures are lower.
- Avoid high-energy or heavy feeds during peak heat hours.
Handling & Movement:
- Minimize activity during the middle of the day. Handling cattle in heat can lead to exhaustion and respiratory distress.
- If you need to sort or load cattle, aim for first light or after sundown.
Watch for Signs of Heat Stress:
- Increased respiration rate (panting)
- Drooling or frothing
- Lethargy or lying down more than usual
- Open-mouth breathing or staggering
If cattle must be confined briefly, they should have a shaded holding area or access to water. Even 10 minutes in the sun without shade or water can spike body temperatures to dangerous levels.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget Fly Control
Flies and heat are a rough combination for cattle. Those buzzing pests aren’t just annoying—they stress your herd out and can lead to real problems when the temperatures climb. Cattle will often bunch up to avoid flies, but in doing so, they trap body heat and cut off airflow, which only makes them hotter. That added stress can slow down weight gain, impact milk production, and even lead to heat-related illnesses if it gets bad enough. Keeping flies under control with sprays, rubs, or fly tags isn’t just about comfort—it’s a key part of keeping your cattle cool and healthy in the summer heat.
Quick Fixes:
- Use back rubbers, ear tags, or pour-ons
- Rotate pasture away from stagnant water or manure-heavy areas
Keeping flies off helps cattle spread out and stay cooler.
Final Thoughts
Triple-digit heat is no joke out here in West Texas. When the sun’s blazing, and the ground feels like a frying pan, your cattle are feeling every bit of it—sometimes more than we realize. But the good news? A few smart adjustments can go a long way in helping your herd stay cool, healthy, and productive through even the most brutal summer stretch.
Start with the basics: shade, water, and routine. Whether it’s natural shade from trees or a man-made shelter, giving your cattle a break from the sun can dramatically reduce stress. Clean, cool water is just as important—make sure there’s plenty of it and that it’s easily accessible. And don’t overlook your daily schedule. Try handling cattle in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are lower. Working them during peak heat can push an already stressed animal over the edge.
Don’t wait until you see signs of heat exhaustion or a calf goes down to act. By then, the damage may already be done. It’s all about being proactive—anticipating the heat and having a plan in place before things get critical.
Do you have a go-to trick or setup that works at your place? We’d love to hear it! Comment below or tag us on social with #WTxLivestockTips to share what’s keeping your cattle cool. Because out here, a good tip can go a long way—and what works for one rancher just might save the day for another.
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