Extreme heat results in cattle deaths

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AMES — Feedlot operators were on duty 24/7 last week doing everything in their power to keep cattle cool during the rapid onset of high temperatures and oppressive heat indexes. Their routine practices of providing shelter and shade were in many cases not enough, so many feedlots activated sprinkler systems to cool both the cattle and ground temperatures.

Reports of cattle loss in some Iowa feedlots, primarily in Southwest but also in East Central Iowa, have often ranged from 40 to 80 head. However, a loss of up to 160 head in one feedlot has been reported.