Producers are monitoring cattle for signs of heat stress. He said he has been lucky so far. High temperatures, combined with high humidity, haven't created problems for his 1,600-1,800 cattle. But as hot, muggy conditions are expected to continue into next week, Sindt and other cattle producers are wondering if their luck will hold out. Doug Schwenka, a veterinarian at Animal Clinic west of Hastings, said heat and humidity could take their toll on cattle, sometimes to the point where the animals suffer heat stress and even heat stroke.
Death can result.
While the heat doesn't bother cattle much, they suffer the most when humidity is added, Sindt said. We've had some hot weather, but the air was very dry and low humidity. They take the heat very good until the humidity gets up. Much like people. When you're comfortable, they're comfortable.