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Managing feedlot cattle in summer - Technical Services Report

Jeff House, ALFA/MLA Technical Services Officer
Jeff House, ALFA/MLA Technical Services Officer

As forecast by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, many parts of Australia have experienced above average rainfall and warmer than average days and nights, which have created some challenging conditions for feedlot operators.


Unfortunately, these conditions often continue into late summer with unsettled weather, including summer storms, periods of high heat and humidity.


In addition to the implementation of your Heat Management Plan over summer, there have been several lessons learnt from previous heat load incidents, which have led to the following additional recommendations for the management of feedlot cattle in summer:


  • Provide shade – Consider the provision of appropriate shade for all cattle. Shade lowers respiration rate, panting scores and stress hormones in feedlot cattle; shade alleviates dehydration of cattle and assists in alleviating mortality, fear, and stress during heat load conditions, with both Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle positively responding to shade.

  • Update and communicate contingency plans – It is important that contingency plans and the agreed chain of command are communciated and understood by everybody before a heat load event. This includes outlining contingency arrangements if key management staff are not present at the feedlot and if power/phones are inoperable. Contact your consultant veterinarian or nutritionist prior to the anticipated onset of a heat load event so everyone is aware of the situation. The contact details of alternative consultants, if required at short notice, should also be sourced.

  • Maintain pen conditions – Wet pens or ones with high manure loads increase reflected solar radiation (as they have a darker surface) whilst raising humidity levels within the pen.

  • Provide extra water troughs – The increased stocking density created by cattle crowding water troughs can exacerbate heat load conditions. Cattle suffering from excessive heat load are also likely to want to drink more in an attempt to cool themselves down.

  • Implement your heat management feeding strategy – Your heat management feeding strategy should be implemented prior to an event to reduce the impact of adverse conditions. This may include a heat load ration, so ensure that there are sufficient commodities on hand so the heat load ration can be introduced, preferably 24–48 hours before the anticipated onset of a heat load event and kept in place for a period after.

  • Reduce pen stocking density – High pen stocking densities, even if they are consistent with legislative and licence obligations, can aggravate the heat generated and felt by cattle.

  • Ensure all staff are adequately trained – The heat load risks over the summer period can be exacerbated if staff rostering is already different from normal, including increases in the employment of casual/holiday staff. It is important that all employees, staff members and management have a knowledge of the strategies in place to reduce the impact from heat events and recognise the warning signs, triggers and actions to be taken during a heat load event.


Effectively managing feedlot cattle during the summer not only optimises production but also significantly enhances animal welfare and minimises the risk of mortality. Every member of our feedlot team plays a pivotal role, and it is important their individual responsibilities are clearly defined and well understood in advance.


To further aid feedlots in managing cattle welfare during the summer, ALFA have updated The Guide for Managing Summer Heat in Australian Feedlots, available for download on the ALFA website.

Please contact Jeff with any enquiries you may have on 0419 262 207 or email at jeff.house@feedlots.com.au.

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