Protecting Livestock from Heat Stress H.D. Hupp, Animal and Veterinary Sciences P.J. Rathwell, Extension Ag. When humidity and temperatures climb, keep a close eye on beef cattle. Temperatures in the 80's and 90's coupled with high humidity can cause heat stress. This stress causes general discomfort, decline in animal performance and even death. Heat stress is defined as any combination of temperature, humidity, radiation and wind producing conditions higher than the animals thermal neutral zone.
Beef cattle cool themselves primarily through breathing.
They sweat only about 10 percent of what humans do. Angus and black animals can be easily overheated by radiant heat because the black absorbs more of the sun's radiant heat. Either open-sided sheds, trees, or other shade can reduce the radiant heat by as much as 40 percent. The shed roofs should be at least 10 feet tall. If the peak is open it will allow the hotter air to escape.