Heat causing problems for cattle in transportation - KOAM TV 7

Heat causing problems for cattle in transportation

Humans aren't the only ones having to deal with this hot summer heat.  Some ranchers have lost cattle due to too much fur and not enough hydration.

An early start to the summer heat has many area ranchers scrambling to keep their livestock hydrated.

Workers at the Joplin Stockyard say 45 to 50 head of cattle have died because of the heat.

Ranchers are also having a tougher time keeping the cattle at their prime weight.

Workers at the livestock auction say they're doing their best to keep the cattle alive.

"As long as he leaves them on his farm, he doesn't have much trouble with them in the heat, but when you go to hauling them and working them and moving them around, then we have quite a bit of trouble with them in this time of year," says Jackie Moore, the owner of the Joplin Stockyards.

Stockyard workers say they try to transport cattle during the night when it's a bit cooler.

Ranchers also say, typically, cattle get used to the hotter weather as the days go by.