Sun, Nov 22 2009
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Preparing equipment for harvest By GARY TILGHMANFor the Daily Times The University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center provides warnings of the potential danger to livestock. Livestock become uncomfortable when the heat index reaches about 90 degrees. The heat index is a combination of air temperature and humidity, and is used to describe how it feels outside.
The Agricultural Weather Center regularly monitors heat indices across the state and provides an index of its own – the Livestock Heat Stress Index – to help producers know when heat stress could create a problem for their animals. The county-by-county index indicates three levels of heat stress: no stress, danger stress and emergency stress. Periods of heat stress call for livestock producers to be vigilant in making sure their animals are adequately prepared. One of the most important things producers can do is provide cool, clean drinking water. Providing an adequate source of drinking water helps to keep animals’ internal body temperatures within normal limits. Above-ground water lines need to be shaded so they do not act as solar water heaters and make the water too hot to drink. It is also important for animals to have shade and for buildings to be as open as possible for adequate ventilation. Sprinkler systems that periodically spray a cool mist on the animals can also be beneficial. It is best to avoid working animals during periods of heat stress. Producers should also avoid transporting livestock during high levels of heat stress. When livestock must be transported, haul fewer animals per load. Planning trips so the animals can be loaded immediately before leaving and unloaded quickly upon arrival can likewise help minimize the risk. Producers who want to keep up-to-date with the livestock heat stress index can access the Agricultural Weather Center’s Web site http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu.
Thanks, Meghan I want to close the article this week by thanking Meghan Edwards who served as my intern this summer. She completes her assignment Friday. Meghan was able to participate in many of our activities and got a brief look at what Extension is all about and the services we provide. She is a great worker and we appreciate her willingness to select Barren County as her place to serve the intern-ship. Meghan returns to UK to complete her BS work and graduation is just around the corner. Again, THANKS Meghan and we wish you the best. We hope to hear about you be-coming an extension agent in the near future. 
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