A little shade and a lot of love go a long way on the farm. Surviving the Texas sun: Shade, hydration, and a cool breeze are some of the secret ingredients to keeping our farmers and ranchers animals thriving in the heat. Farmers and ranchers know that rolling with the plans of nature is just the course. But coping with Texas heat on a farm requires proactive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of their animals. Sunrise to sunset, the grind never stops, here’s some of their methods:

  1. Shelter: Shaded areas to protect animals from direct sunlight. Trees, tarps, or specially designed shade structures work well. Ensuring that coops and barns have good airflow to prevent heat buildup.
  2. Hydration: Access to clean, cool water is critical. In extreme heat, water levels are frequently checked and adding ice to water containers help keep it cooler for longer and a nice treat + having multiple water sources.
  3. Ventilation: Using fans or misters help create a cooling breeze in barns or coops. Properly positioned windows and vents in shelters also help with airflow and wetting down the animals help keep them cool. Plus providing a wallow area for pigs or a pond for other animals is also helpful.
  4. Ground Cover: Keeping the ground cool is essential. Wetting down areas where animals rest help lower the temperature. Sand or dirt floors are preferable over concrete, which retains heat.
  5. Diet: Avoiding high-energy feeds that generate more body heat. Fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon, help with hydration. Also, lighter feeds during the heat of the day help animals stay cooler and feeding early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler is best.
  6. Behavioral Adjustments: Constantly monitoring animals for signs of heat stress, such as panting or lethargy, and providing cooling solutions like misting or shallow water baths.

These proactive measures significantly help reduce the risk of heat stress and ensure the well-being of farm animals during extreme heat. This of course is very challenging for both animals and their caretakers. But when the Texas heat cranks up, gotta have plenty of TLC for our farm families. Thank you to all our hardworking farmers and ranchers who rise with the sun and battle every season to put food on our tables. Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to the land and animals are the backbone of our communities. We appreciate all you do!