Sprinkled Water and Fans to Reduce Heat Stress of Beef Cattle

Garner, J. C.; Bucklin, R. A.; Kunkle, W. E.; Nordstedt, R. A.

Sprinkled Water and Fans to Reduce Heat Stress of Beef Cattle

1989

Garner, J. C. | Bucklin, R. A. | Kunkle, W. E. | Nordstedt, R. A.

Studies to investigate the effects of cooling cattle by sprinkling water and force ventilating with fans were carried out at a large commercial feedlot west of Gainesville, FL during the summers of 1985 and 1986. Weight gain and feed intake of the cattle, along with average daily dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure were recorded. Electrical consumption and water usage were also measured. Cooling feedlot cattle with the sprinkler and fan cooling system significantly increased the rate of weight gain for heifers, but not for steers. The system would be economically advantageous when applied to heifers.

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