22/06/2026
With the hot weather this week, keep an eye out for signs of heat stress in your livestock:
Signs to watch for:
• Refusal to lie down
• Increased water intake
• Open-mouth breathing
• Increased respiration rate
• Elevated re**al temperature
How you can help:
• Ensure animals have constant access to clean, fresh water. Cattle can increase their water intake by 10–20% during hot weather.
• Minimise time spent in holding areas and avoid overcrowding.
• Provide shade wherever possible.
• Offer additional forage during cooler parts of the day to help compensate for reduced feed intake in the heat.
• Improve airflow and ventilation in buildings.
Don't forget your younger stock. Lambs and calves are often more susceptible to heat stress and may require extra monitoring during periods of high temperatures.
Stay vigilant and help keep your animals comfortable and healthy during the warm spell. If you do become concerned about any of your animals, give us a call on: 01664 491266
