Triple-digit temperatures swept across southwestern Kansas in mid-June, bringing with them a wave of cattle deaths in feedlots due to heat stress.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment estimated at least 2,000 cattle were killed in the heat wave, according to a Reuters report. This number was based on the number of cattle the agency was called to dispose of as of June 16. DTN reported that number could actually be as high as 10,000 head, according to local sources.
Misinformation spread rampant through social media channels after the heat wave, with many claiming the dead cattle were part of a bigger scheme to influence the cattle markets and food supply chain. The truth, according to livestock experts, was a little more simple: The high increase in temperatures and humidity, with minimal wind, created the perfect disaster.
Scarlett Hagins, Kansas Livestock Association’s (KLA) vice president of communications, appeared in a video posted to the KLA Facebook page to address the situation. Hagins said as of June 16, there was not a total count on losses, and any number would be speculative.
“This was a very unfortunate event that was the result of the region seeing a significant change in weather in a short amount of time,” Hagins said. “Temperatures rose significantly, humidity was high, there was really little to no wind, and if cattle cannot cool down over the nighttime hours because temperatures remained high, they really can’t compensate for this kind of weather, which led to heat stress for cattle in this region.”
She noted this case was not normal for southwestern Kansas, and usually the region is very ideal for raising fed cattle, with little humidity and plenty of wind. “This was really an unusual and unfortunate event,” Hagins said.
The region saw a 10-14 F increase in temperatures from June 10 to June 11, with temperatures reaching as high as 104 F in the following days, with lows only falling to about 70 F overnight.
“In cool conditions, it is easy for cattle to lose heat, but as temperature increases, it becomes increasingly difficult,” the KLA post explained. “Additionally, as humidity increases it becomes more difficult to evaporate the water from the skin surface. Hot, sticky conditions can make heat loss very difficult. Wind speed also is important, as it helps the animals lose heat.”
For cattle feeders who experienced losses, the state has announced resources for assistance.
“I have directed state agencies to do everything in their power to help Kansas cattle feeders who lost cattle due to heat stress,” said Gov. Laura Kelly (D) in a statement. “From expediting burial permits to reaching out to cattle producers across the state, my administration is working to ease the impact of last weekend’s losses on the Kansas agricultural community.”
The state said there are federal resources available to provide financial relief, including USDA indemnity payments and fatality insurance. For the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), producers must file a notice of loss within 30 days of the loss becoming apparent and file an application for payment within 60 days of the end of the year. For more information on LIP, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam assured consumers the cattle losses will not create a beef supply glitch. “Last weekend’s losses reflect a very small percentage of the total fed cattle numbers in the state, so it will not impact meat prices for consumers,” Beam said. — Anna Miller,WLJ managing editor
