Heat stress mitigation strategies used by midwestern cattle feeders

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The objective of this survey was to obtain descriptive data and cattle feeders’ perceptions regarding facilities and heat stress (HS) mitigation strategies. Feedlot managers (n = 46) from South Dakota (SD; n = 21), Minnesota (MN; n = 6), and Nebraska (NE; n = 19) were surveyed regarding facilities, management, and perceptions of HS mitigation strategies. The SD and MN responses were combined (MN/SD) for summarization. Open yards (OY) were the most commonly reported facility, particularly in NE, where OY were reported by 100% of participants and comprised 90% of facility types. Facility types in MN/SD were more diverse, with OY, total barn confinement, and partially covered comprising 49, 30, and 21% of all facility types, respectively. Shades and sprinklers were used in 79 and 100% of NE OY, respectively, compared with 32 and 86% of MN/SD OY, respectively. Feed deliveries were adjusted in summer by 37 and 30% of NE and MN/SD managers, respectively. All respondents avoided unnecessary cattle handling during HS events. Shades or buildings were perceived as successful by 63 and 56% of respondents from NE and MN/SD, respectively, whereas water application was deemed effective by 32 and 63% from NE and MN/SD, respectively. Shades structures were named by 63% of respondents from both regions as the most desirable HS mitigation measure, followed by confinement buildings (16 and 18% for NE and MN/SD, respectively). Midwest cattle feeders use multiple approaches to mitigate HS, with those providing shade deemed most desirable.