10,000 cattle dead in Kansas

[Macsky]

Heat Stress Kills Estimated 10,000 Head of Kansas Feedlot Cattle

The numbers are still coming in, but early estimates set the number of cattle lost to heat in Kansas feedlots this week at an estimated 10,000 head.

www.dtnpf.com

It got to 40°C and they all died apparently, I doubt that’s a completely unprecedented temperature there? It got to 42°C in Alberta when I was there and I don’t remember any fuss about the cattle?

 

[Macsky]

 

[Macsky]

All died overnight!!? I’m struggling to believe they all dropped dead simultaneously from the heat.

 

[vantage]

All died overnight!!? I’m struggling to believe they all dropped dead simultaneously from the heat.

Everything is on a grand scale in the USA.

 

[kiwi pom]

Would it be more of a humidity or management problem? Seems a bit far north.
I lived in New Mexico for several years and summer temps were 40 degrees plus every day. I didn't see piles of dead cows like that. Winter snow storms were more damaging down there.

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

Poor management I'd say. Obviously not enough provision of water points and bugger all shade. Also in a feedlot situation it's easy to add Bos- coolous or Betaine to the ration to aid in water retention.

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Not a lot of info out about it yet and I don’t know anyone personally out that way to ask anymore.

But we have had a drastic temp swing, maybe 25 degrees difference in a week.

 

[Flatlander]

I’ve driven through parts of kansas on route to California and it’s an eye opener to see the amount of black angus cattle in feedlots. Ones I’ve past has mist masts in the pens to aid in the cooling of the animals. Most have no shade or shelter year round. Amazing to see but not much of a life for the cattle. 40 degrees isnt that excessive if it cools off at night but day after day without any major drop overnight can’t be good.

 

[Deerefarmer]

According to a fellow on another forum chat I'm on they had a day of temps around 70f (20c I think) and rain. Made the lots muddy. Next day temps were around 105f (40c ) and no wind . The intense heat was compounded by the wet mud and lack of air movement. He was saying they were seeing temps as high as 150f at ground level.

 

[Ben B]

According to a fellow on another forum chat I'm on they had a day of temps around 70f (20c I think) and rain. Made the lots muddy. Next day temps were around 105f (40c ) and no wind . The intense heat was compounded by the wet mud and lack of air movement. He was saying they were seeing temps as high as 150f at ground level.

@cows sh#t me to tears would be able to remember. I think it was February 2005?? and we went from 45C to sub 20 with high winds and killed a lot of young stock I'm told.

 

[delilah]

How do they dispose of that volume of deadstock in one hit ? What are the deadstock rules in the US ?

 

[Ben B]

How do they dispose of that volume of deadstock in one hit ? What are the deadstock rules in the US ?

Dig a whole and don't tell any one

 

[Deerefarmer]

How do they dispose of that volume of deadstock in one hit ? What are the deadstock rules in the US ?

Likely varies from state to state but in Kansas you can either bury, incinerate, compost or send to a rendering plant. Obviously there are stipulations that need to be met for whatever method is used but that is your options. Rendering makes the most sense imo as the carcass were not diseased so would be high quality rendering eh and wouldn't seem like a complete waste

 

[Flatlander]

How do they dispose of that volume of deadstock in one hit ? What are the deadstock rules in the US ?

If it’s any thing like here if you’ve a couple of dead ones then they are dragged into the woods and coyotes clean them up but that number id imagine either a big hole or an even bigger fire. Pet food industry may even deal with some.

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

@cows sh#t me to tears would be able to remember. I think it was February 2005?? and we went from 45C to sub 20 with high winds and killed a lot of young stock I'm told.

Sub 20..... it was 8°c howling wind and driving rain. Yes a day after high 30s to low 40s.

 

[spin cycle]

not farming....poor bloody things....owners should be caged in pens in those feedlots and see how they like it

 

[kiwi pom]

not farming....poor bloody things....owners should be caged in pens in those feedlots and see how they like it

You reckon? Plenty of room in a lot of the feed lots I've seen. Same for the dairy cows outside in pens in the southern states.
I've no problem with large operations as long as they are run properly.

 

[spin cycle]

You reckon? Plenty of room in a lot of the feed lots I've seen. Same for the dairy cows outside in pens in the southern states.
I've no problem with large operations as long as they are run properly.

they'd be prosecuted here and there would be a public/media outcry

 

[kiwi pom]

they'd be prosecuted here and there would be a public/media outcry

For what?

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

they'd be prosecuted here and there would be a public/media outcry

What's the difference ? Yours has 4 walls and a roof over it. Still caged up in cramp conditions isn't it.....