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.
