The majority of the Province is in for a heat wave over the next couple of weeks or so. 

Heat stress can have a major impact on livestock just as it can people. 

Colby Elford is a Livestock Feed Extension Specialist with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture.

He says having shade and a good, clean, ample water source available is important.

“You need to have that water available at all times for them to drink and the temperature needs to be cool.  Having that water available will help the animal keep their body temperature within normal limits. Of course, there are all the other benefits such as improving feed consumption, and that type of thing but having water available is probably the absolute most important.”

He notes with the heat wave producers should also be monitoring their dugouts over the next few weeks for any signs of blue-green algae blooms.

Producers should be removing livestock from dugouts where blue-green algae are present since it can be toxic to the animals.

The blooms typically last up to three weeks and can be pushed around the lake, dugout or reservoir by the wind.