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.
Do you need miles of fencing and a big budget to implement rotational grazing? Think again. If you’re raising cattle in a dry climate like West Texas, you know how valuable every blade of grass is. Forage doesn’t grow fast out here, and overgrazing can wear down your pastures before you know it. That’s where rotational grazing comes in—it’s a simple but powerful way to stretch your forage, improve soil health, and keep your cattle in better condition.
Nobody wants to walk out to the pasture and see a sick cow. Cattle diseases don’t just hurt the animal—they can slow down your whole operation and hit your wallet harder than expected. Sick animals may eat less, grow slower, or lose condition, and treating them takes time and money you probably hadn’t planned on spending. The good news? Many common issues can be spotted early and dealt with before they turn into big problems.
Controlling flies on your cattle is one of those frustrating challenges that can make you feel like you’re in an endless battle. No matter what you try, those pesky insects keep returning year after year. It’s like they’ve got a personal vendetta against your herd, making it seem almost impossible to get them under control.
