RADA urges livestock owners to protect animals as temperatures rise

Livestock owners are being advised by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to take immediate action to safeguard their animals from the detrimental effects of escalating temperatures. RADA warns that heat stress poses a significant threat, capable of compromising animal health, hindering reproductive capabilities, and diminishing the quality of meat products.

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Animals are really supposed to be drinking what we call potable water, the same kind of water that we drink. There are some tablets that you can use,and the same communication that persons receive for your own consumption to add a little bleach to their water, that is the same kind of treatment that you can give to the water as well.

A review from the US National Library of Medicine defines heat stress as the physiological strain animals endure when environmental temperatures surpass their thermoneutral zone, disrupting the delicate balance between heat production and loss. Maxine Brown, a senior livestock specialist at RADA, emphasized that maintaining adequate hydration is a primary defense against these impacts. She advises providing animals with potable water, similar to what humans consume, and suggests using water treatments like a small amount of bleach, mirroring recommendations for human drinking water.

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You can paint water tanks a different colour from black – probably white – which tends to reflect most of the heat, so that the water remains cool. You can add ice to the water to make it cool because, if the water is warm or hot, then the animals are not going to drink it and, if the animals are not drinking, then that means they become dehydrated and you run the risk of losing them.

Brown further elaborated on practical measures farmers can implement. She recommended painting water tanks white instead of black to reflect solar heat and keep water cool. Adding ice to water can also ensure it remains palatable, as animals are less likely to drink warm or hot water, increasing the risk of dehydration and potential loss. The review, which specifically examined poultry and swine, found that heat stress can lead to reduced feed intake, hormonal imbalances, and compromised gut health.

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These are supplements that you can find at any farm store to give to your animals. You also have sprinkler systems that you can put in place, including digital ones that are automatic. Some of them, you can look on your phone, and it can tell you the temperature and it automatically comes on when the temperature reaches a certain level.

Beyond hydration, nutritional strategies and environmental controls are crucial. Brown highlighted the availability of electrolytes and other supplements at farm supply stores that can help lower animals' body temperatures. The implementation of sprinkler and misting systems, including automatic digital systems that respond to temperature fluctuations, can also provide essential cooling. RADA specifically noted that pigs, being less efficient at regulating their body temperature, require additional cooling measures, such as misting systems, to remain comfortable and healthy.

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You want to put some kind of misting system in place to help them to keep cool. You also want to make sure that you are looking at the accommodat