Manitoba ranchers work to keep livestock safe amid spring heat dome
Global News
As a prolonged spring heat dome hovers over Manitoba, many cattle ranchers are taking extra precautions to keep their livestock herds safe from heat stress and dehydration.
As a prolonged spring heat dome continues to hover over Manitoba, many cattle ranchers are taking extra precautions to keep their livestock herds safe.
Warren Graydon runs a cattle ranch in southeastern Manitoba. He says each day is a race against the heat.
“I check my cattle early in the morning. If I’m going to move them paddock to paddock, I do it early in the morning,” Graydon said.
“Do everything in the cool of the day. If I need to process them, do it the cool of the day. If I need to haul, do it in the cool of the day.”
“If I’m hot, they’re hotter.”
Graydon says he has to take extra precautions by double-checking water sources, ensuring the animals have access to shade, and watching for signs of heat stress or dehydration.
“When you’re feeling ill, you’re off, you don’t want to talk to people, you don’t want to see people, you don’t want to be bothered,” he said. “They’re the same way. They just can’t tell you when they’re sick.”
Graydon also says feeding time has to be earlier, as eating increases the cattle’s body temperature even more.
