Managing Heat Stress in Feedlot Cattle Using Sprinklers

Authors

Shane Davis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry L. Mader, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Wanda Cerkoney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Ninety-six Bos taurus steers were used to determine the effect of water application to feedlot mounds on performance, behavior and tympanic temperature of steers and microclimatic conditions of the mounds. Steers were assigned to 12 pens subjected to no water application (CON), water applied between 1000 and 1200 (AM), or 1400 and 1600 hr (PM). Water application lowered soil temperatures of the mounds with little effect on temperature-humidity index. Tympanic temperatures were lowered by treatment. Performance variables were not affected; however, AM steers were more efficient than PM steers.