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NSW cattle can't stand the heat
20 Feb 2004
A record run of hot temperatures in NSW, combined with high humidity levels, have killed about 500 cattle in feedlots over the past 10 days. Milk production has also fallen as cows stop grazing in hot conditions and stand in dams trying to cool off.
NSW has around 200,000 of the national total of 650,000 lot-fed cattle. Feedlot losses have to be reported to the Australian Lot Feeders' Association once they exceed mortality rates. Most of the recent cattle deaths occurred in the state's north west and in the Riverina.
ALFA executive director Rob Sewell said emergency heat stress prevention strategies have been implemented and the losses could have been a lot higher. The feedlot industry has initiated significant research into heat stress, Mr Sewell said, and has put in place a range of shade, feeding and pen management measures to prevent stock losses in extreme heat. These strategies were introduced following the deaths of 1,200 cattle at the Prime City feedlot near Griffith four years ago.
The Land, 19/2/04.
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