Have you noticed how some cows in a herd are the first to shed their winter coats for a glossy summer coat? While others look lacklustre and dull, shedding their winter hair out slowly.
What if I told you the cow who sheds her coat early is one to hold on to! Studies show mama cows that shed their coats early raise heavier calves than those who shed their coat later. This small increase in production can have a big effect on your bottom line, especially in larger herds.
This fascinating podcast discusses the ins and outs of hair shedding and what it means for your herd and management.
When temperatures climb, cattle don’t simply become uncomfortable. Heat stress is a serious physiological challenge that affects feed intake, milk production, fertility, immune function, and overall performance. In severe cases, it can even become life threatening.
Think of a cow as a large furnace wrapped in a hide. Every bite of forage she digests produces heat. On a cool day, that heat helps keep her warm. On a hot, humid day, however, it becomes excess heat that must be released. When a cow can no longer dissipate heat as quickly as she produces it, her body temperature begins to rise and heat stress sets in.
Humidity plays a major role. A hot, dry day is often easier for cattle to tolerate than a slightly cooler but very humid day because moisture in the air reduces the effectiveness of evaporation, making it much harder for the body to cool itself.
Recognizing the Signs of Heat Stress
Before discussing prevention and treatment, it’s important to recognize when a cow is becoming overheated.
Cattle will naturally seek shade or stand in ponds and streams to cool themselves. If those options aren’t available, they often bunch together in response to stress and begin breathing rapidly. Excessive drooling, reduced grazing, and a decreased interest in grain are common early signs.
As heat stress progresses, milk production drops, resulting in slower weight gains for nursing calves. Fertility also suffers. Poor conception rates become more common, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy. Elevated cortisol levels caused by heat stress can increase the risk of early embryonic loss, especially during the first 45 days of gestation.
Cattle may become lethargic and, in more severe cases, begin open mouth breathing or panting like a dog. Heat stress also suppresses the immune system, making animals more susceptible to disease. If left untreated, severely overheated cattle may stagger, collapse, and ultimately die.
The First Line of Defense: Shade and Water
Shade is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce heat stress. Trees, shade structures, and covered loafing areas can significantly lower body temperatures. Adding misting stations can make an even greater difference.
Clean, fresh water is equally critical. During periods of extreme heat, a lactating cow may consume more than 20 gallons of water each day. Water should always be clean and readily accessible to encourage intake.
It’s also important to have adequate watering space. If cattle must crowd around a single water source, dominant animals may prevent more timid cattle from drinking enough. Adding additional tanks during periods of extreme heat can help ensure every animal has access. We keep several empty protein tubs around specifically for hot weather. They’re lightweight, easy to dump, clean, and refill as needed.
Misting Stations and Cooling Systems
One of the most effective management tools is a misting sprinkler station combined with good airflow. Several years ago, we installed a 40-by-60-foot carport and mounted a couple of misting fans underneath it that run during the hottest part of the day. Although our cows have access to a pond where they enjoy wading, they also spend a great deal of time under the misting station.
The mist lowers the air temperature several degrees while lightly dampening their coat. Combined with the airflow from the fans, evaporation removes body heat much like perspiration cools human skin. When I am out working on the farm during the heat of the day I too hang out under the misting fanst to cool off. It’s much cooler there than anywhere else on the farm.
Practical Heat Stress Prevention
Whenever possible, avoid working cattle during the hottest part of the day. If cattle must be gathered or moved, early morning is the safest time. If you feed grain or other supplemental feeds, consider feeding later in the evening. Digestion generates heat, and feeding late allows the greatest amount of fermentation to occur overnight when temperatures are cooler.
Nutritional Support: Vitafirm Heat Stress Tubs
A few years ago, we started buying Vitaferm Heat Stress Tubs during the summer, and our cows will never go another Oklahoma summer without them. These tubs contain essential oils that act as natural vasodilators, helping support healthy blood flow so cattle can dissipate body heat more efficiently. They also provide minerals, electrolytes, and vitamins that help replenish nutrients lost during periods of heat stress.
HEAT comes in tubs and as a loose mineral. While nutritional supplements aren’t a replacement for shade and water, they can be another valuable tool in an overall heat stress management program.
Genetics: The Often Overlooked Prevention Tool
Some cattle simply handle heat better than others. Fortunately for Dexter breeders, our cattle generally have an advantage over larger breeds. Their smaller body size produces less metabolic heat, making them naturally more heat tolerant. Even so, there is still considerable variation between individual animals. Some cattle continue grazing, breeding, and maintaining body condition throughout the hottest months, while others struggle. Many people believe black cattle suffer more in the heat than red or lighter-colored cattle. While darker hair certainly absorbs more solar radiation, our experience suggests there is much more to heat tolerance than color alone.
We have black, red, and dun Dexters, and I’ve had several red and dun cattle struggle far more than my black Dexters. The common denominator wasn’t color it was their hair coat. Some of my black cattle slick off early in the spring, developing the short, shiny, seal like coat Dexters are known for. They handle Oklahoma summers exceptionally well. Others, regardless of color, hold onto a longer, thicker coat much later into the season and have a much harder time staying cool. Hair coat length and density are extremely important. A well bred Dexter should have a short, sleek coat. Animals with excessively heavy coats often experience greater heat stress.
As difficult as it can be to part with good cattle, we simply can’t justify keeping animals that consistently struggle through our hot summers. Besides being unfair to the animal, it also costs us money through reduced fertility, lower production, and increased management. Selecting replacements from cows that consistently maintain body condition, breed back promptly, produce well, and remain comfortable during hot weather will gradually improve your herd’s natural heat tolerance.
When choosing replacement heifers, look for daughters from cows that:
Breed back consistently, even during the heat of summer.
Maintain milk production through hot weather.
Show minimal panting and heat avoidance.
Hold body condition despite prolonged heat.
Over time, these selection decisions create a herd that is naturally better adapted to your local climate.
When to Take Emergency Action
Immediate intervention is necessary if cattle are:
Open-mouth panting continuously.
Unable to rise or walk comfortably.
Staggering or appearing disoriented.
Crowding tightly around water while showing severe respiratory distress.
Move affected animals into shade immediately, increase airflow with fans if available, and gently wet their bodies with cool (not ice-cold) water while contacting your veterinarian. I prefer using a garden hose to slowly soak the animal, avoiding the face. Once the panting begins to subside, I brush excess water out of the undercoat so it doesn’t become trapped against the skin, which can actually reduce cooling.
The Bottom Line
Successful heat stress management comes down to three key areas:
Environmental cooling through shade, abundant clean water, and misting stations with good airflow.
Nutritional support by feeding later in the day and providing products such as Vitaferm Heat Stress Tubs to help support hydration, circulation, and mineral balance.
Genetic selection by breeding cattle that consistently perform well in hot, humid conditions and culling those that do not.
Good heat management isn’t about relying on a single product or piece of equipment. It’s about helping cattle maintain their natural ability to regulate body temperature. When shade, water, cooling systems, proper nutrition, and heat tolerant genetics all work together, cattle remain healthier, more productive, and better able to thrive through even the toughest days of summer.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What do you do to keep your cattle cool during the hot summer months? Do you rely on shade trees, ponds, misting systems, fans, nutritional supplements, or another management practice? Share your tips and experiences in the comments. We can all learn from one another.
About the Author:
Kimberly Jepsen is the heart behind MooShine Ridge in Vinita, Oklahoma, where she and her husband, Kevin, have been raising dual-purpose Dexter cows since 2015. Their little farm store is a labor of love, offering Dexter beef, raw milk, and artisan cheeses made from their own cows. Kimberly has a deep passion for the Dexter breed and loves nothing more than sharing what she’s learned over the years whether it’s guiding fellow farmers, helping newcomers discover the joys of small-scale farming, or simply introducing people to the rich, creamy flavors of her handcrafted cheeses. For her, farming isn’t just a business, it’s a way to nurture animals, the land, and the community she cares about. https://mooshineridge.com/
There is nothing I enjoy more than being out in the field, observing and spending time with my animals. During the hot days of summer, both my animals and I migrate to shade for relief from the sun. This webinar talks about how to increase productivity and animal welfare by providing various types of shade for grazing animals. Where is shade most helpful? What methods of shade provide the most bang for your buck? Watch this video to find out more.
As livestock farmers a large percent of our work goes into pasture and forage management. Invasive, non-local weeds can be a big pain, and some are even damaging to our animals (poisonous) and local forage. This article addresses simple, natural solutions to weed control on the farm. We have always had the most success by balancing the nutrients in the soil, and adding grazing animals at the right time.
Getting your kids involved in the day to day workings of your farm or homestead have so many benefits! I heard the statistic quoted this weekend that less than 2% of the US population is involved in agriculture. What better way to impact that number than to create rewarding experiences between your children and land and livestock.
Below is a great article on the benefits and economics of rotational grazing. I know for many the grazing season has already begun, but it’s never too late to switch to a rotational grazing management system. If it works for the season you are in, and can benefit you economically, why not make the switch?
If you have drainage issues and/or standing water in your pastures or around your barn, this DIY is for you! Simple, but professional visual instructions make DIY a breeze.
Dexter cattle are hardy, needing very little to thrive. However, if they are to be outdoors all season long they should have a shelter or windbreak. A windbreak in the form of trees and shrubs provides valuable shelter, shade, and even a snack, to a cattle herd. Read more below on the basics of designing, planting and caring for a wind break.
This is the first of our articles on chondrodysplasia in Dexters. Also called chondro-carriers, shorties, or dwarfs. these terms refer to the same cattle, and will be interspersed throughout the article. Keep in mind, they all mean cattle who are carriers of the dwarf gene.
Per Miriam Webster chondro means cartilage & dysplasia is an abnormal growth or development.
It’s a personal decision to breed chondro carrier Dexters. Of course, it’s your decision what to breed on your farm. But, let’s sort out some of the facts on these endearing little cattle.
Some long time breeders have told me that they believe the dwarf Dexters played an instrumental part in the formation of the breed, as the non-chondro, longer legged Dexters got registered in with the Kerry cattle. They also believe that there are two body types in the dwarves. That will be discussed in a later article.
Just a few of the traits and statements that those who own and experience the pleasures of owning a dwarf believe.
“Chondros are the breed. If we lose them we lose the breed.”
“Maximum beef on minimum forage.”
Personalities are one of a kind
Great mothers
High milk production
Great for first time cattle owners
Of course, breed responsibly. Never breed two carriers together and you will never get a bulldog calf. (If you did, the chance is only 25%, but why risk it?)
Those that I see exaggerating & spreading the hate for chondro carriers are using human graphics from the internet and applying their own labels. I have found no professional veterinary opinion stating they should be eliminated. Of course, none of those who love them would want or allow them to suffer. Many Dexters I know of are living into their teens. How many commercial breeds do you see living that long?
Some dwarfs will get osteoarthritis later in life. So will some non-chondros. A lot depends on the bloodlines, the terrain they live on and the care they receive. This also applies to the longer legged non-chondros. Humans also tend to get osteoarthritis later in life. They also can get forms of dwarfism. We don’t eradicate them. It can be managed, IF it happens.
So, please…. educate yourself on this genetic mutation, before you make a judgement.
The photo with the article is a 9 year old chondro positive cow, with twins she just had.
The following is a scientific explanation from UC Davis. We choose the BD1 test, when we get any calves from our carriers. The BD2 test is for a specific line from a specific bull.
Jared from Strong Roots Farm has created a great video on everything you need to raise cattle. He puts a lot of emphasis on low-stress management, and for good reason! Stress can really impact your bottom line. It affects the health of your cattle, as well as the taste and texture of beef.
As breeders of dual purpose cattle, it can be hard to find all-encompassing management information. Over the years I have pieced together info and practices from beef and dairy offerings. This is a solid article about managing a small beef herd in the spring, and offers some helpful insight. Is it catered to Dexter cattle specifically? No. It was also written several years ago and the beef market has exploded since then! What differences have you seen in your own management practices of a dual purpose breed, compared to the info that is widely available?
Technology continues to improve the way we can do things on our homesteads, farms and ranches giving us advancements in how we can monitor our precious Dexters. Here is a company that offers a solution.
Do you have the Homesteading/Hobby farming down, and now you’re wondering what’s next? Is making 100% of a living on the farm a dream? Joel Salatin talks about the essentials, an ingredient list if you will, for transitioning from weekend farming to full-time farming.
What an idyllic picture kids and animals paint. County fairs are full of animals, including cattle, being lead around the show ring by their young owners.
The homestead dream, complete with family milk cow, gives off major romantic vibes. But what does it actually take for children and cattle to interact safely on the farm or homestead?
Here are a few tips and suggestions from our family farm:
Because children are low to the ground, and their movements tend to be quick, cattle can view them as predators. Talk to kids about how important it is to move slowly/deliberately and to behave calmly and quietly when they’re around cows (especially a cow that is not familiar to them).
When introducing kids to a new cow, be sure the cow is safely restrained. I like to tie our cows on a halter with a slip knot. Kids can approach from the side or front of the cow (not the back), and talk to the cow.
Cows in a herd will groom each other, and mother cows will also bond with their calves by grooming them. A great way for kids to get to know and bond with a cow is to spend time brushing them. Our cows prefer to be brushed on the neck, shoulders and along the back.
If you have children and are purchasing a cow for the first time, it is helpful to look for a cow that has been handled/shown by children and is familiar with them.
And my final tip is to be confident! Fear teaches us to expect the worst. Set yourself up for success by following these tips, and be confident when you and your kids interact with cattle. If you find yourself becoming fearful, remove yourself from the situation, and try again another time.
I hope these tips and suggestions help you build a strong bond with between your cattle, yourself and your children!
A Deep Dive Podcast, brought to you by Irish Dexter Cattlemen, on topics of interest to all farmers and ranchers. Subscribe to the free, monthly Irish Dexter Cattlemen Tips & Tricks Guide to get early access.
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The hard, but important conversations around family succession on the farm.
With the price of land and start-up costs at an all time high, it is more difficult than ever to get into farming. In this podcast, Elaine Froese, and her guest, Walt Moore, talk about the key aspects of keeping a farm in the family. They provide such a needed conversation around finances, dreams, and communication so that the farm is around for generations to come.
A Deep Dive Podcast, brought to you by Irish Dexter Cattlemen, on topics of interest to all farmers and ranchers. Subscribe to the free, monthly Irish Dexter Cattlemen Tips & Tricks Guide to get early access.
Brought to You by These Breeders, Affiliates, & Sponsors
There have been more times than I care to admit where I did something dumb while working our Dexter cattle. In those situations I am always grateful we have chosen to raise Dexters. Even if I sustain an injury, it is much less severe than if I had been handling a full size cow.
Having the proper handling equipment, and having a “no crazy cows” policy on our farm has helped us avoid a lot of injuries. Here is a great article on cattle related injuries to farmers. Being informed and informed and aware goes a long way to keeping safe!
There are some chores and activities that are more effective in the winter months. Like, for instance, the soil’s freezing and thawing causing seeds to be drawn in, and seeding to be more productive. Some farm tasks are just more enjoyable in the chilly winter air (who wants to split wood in the summer heat?). Dormant invasive plants can be cut back and pulled out (hopefully before the soil freezes). The article below does a great job of providing some farm tasks to keep you warm and working in the winter months. What farm chores are exclusively done on your farm in the winter?
Here is a great video from Greg Judy about the benefits of grazing cattle through snow. He includes tips on keeping water from freezing, looking out for parasite issues, and keeping your operation profitable.
This podcast sent me into a few fits of laughter with the speaker’s dry humor. Obviously this experienced vet has been around, and has seen a few things. And while Dexter cattle (including the bulls) tend to be smaller and easier to handle, I highly recommend implementing the recommendations in this podcast. Not only will it make handling your animals easier, it will set you up for a more successful relationship with your vet and your neighbors.
Farm management apps have changed how farming is done today. These tools help you make smart choices for better farming. Features like weather updates, task schedules, and inventory checks make work simpler. These apps also give live updates and tips to improve farming. They help you work better and farm in a way that helps the planet.
