It’s July in West Texas—and if you’ve been outside for more than five minutes, you already know what that means. The sun’s blazing, the pastures are crisping up, and the cows are doing everything they can to find a patch of shade and stay put. Grazing? Not unless it’s early morning or there’s a breeze blowing. It’s just flat-out hot.
This stretch of summer is tough on everyone, but it hits your herd especially hard. When the heat rolls in and the forage dries out, cattle often reduce their feed intake. And when they’re not eating as much, they’re not gaining as much as they should. You might even notice some slipping backward, losing a bit of condition, moving less, just not looking as sharp. Sound familiar?
You’re not the only one seeing it. The summer slump is a real deal for producers across the region. But here’s the good news—it doesn’t have to be your reality. You can’t lower the temperature, but you can take a few smart steps to help your cattle stay cool, continue eating, and gain weight.
Whether you’ve got a few head on pasture or you’re running a bigger outfit, there are ways to set your herd up for success—even when the thermometer says otherwise.
So if you’re ready to beat the summer slump, stick with me. Let’s walk through five practical strategies you can put to work right now to keep your cattle gaining through the worst of the heat. These are not just theoretical solutions, but practical steps that you can take with confidence.
