Beware of heat stress in stock, producers warned

But many livestock are struggling to keep cool, dramatically affecting productivity.

Regardless of clear symptoms, heat stress clearly compromises cattle and sheep performance, says MLC beef and sheep scientist Liz Genever.

"Feed intakes and growth rates, ovulation and conception rates and bull and ram fertility are all likely to be affected."

Genus Breeding's beef development manager Neil Wharton says cattle show signs of heat stress at 21C.

"These include high respiration rates, high water consumption, low feed intakes, reduced milk yield, reduced weight gain and less activity.

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Source: FWi

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