May 5, 2006
FROM UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL NEWS SERVICE
Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist
Headquartered in Lawrence County
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu	

Tips for Shade and Cattle during the Hot Summer

According to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension, shade for beef 
cattle in southwest Missouri is vitally important and even helpful.

Research findings on cattle and shade, including tests in Missouri and Arkansas, confirm that 
natural shade from trees gave better animal performance than shade from constructed shades.

"Twenty-five square feet per adult cow is a bare minimum for shade space with 30 to 40 feet 
preferred to prevent crowding and poor air movement," said Cole.

Research also shows that dark haired and heavier coated cattle benefit from shade more than 
those with lighter coats.

"Bull fertility appears to drop in hot weather so shade may also be of some benefit if you’re in 
the midst of the breeding season," said Cole.

It is also important to know that some breeds, such as the Brahman and Brahman crosses, 
tolerate the heat better than others. Likewise, some animals within a breed handle heat better 
than others.

"Slick, short-haired cattle grazing warm season grasses will suffer less production loss than those 
on endophyte infected fescue. Fall-calving cows tend to be more tolerant of the heat than spring-
calvers. Heavy cattle traffic around trees can kill trees and may result in poor manure 
distribution, so manage accordingly," said Cole.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest 
Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102; Gary Naylor in Dallas County, (417) 345-
7551; and Dona Funk in Cedar County, (417) 276-3313. 

University of Missouri Extension is your one-stop source for practical education on almost 
anything. Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of people throughout the state. 
Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your 
local link to these unbiased resources and programs.
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