I have read part of the posts. As I lived in SW KS for over 50 years and have known many who either fed cattle, worked at the feedyards or managed them this has happened before just not on this scale maybe. With social media, ect things that 25 years ago remained local news now spreads. I feel also there is more reporting now.
First one reason many feedyards were built in that area was because of the normal low humidity and consistent air movement. In the rare instances where there is high humidity, no or little air flow and some heat is when you see this issue. It happens mainly to fat cattle in feedyards but have seen it happen too show cattle and other cattle that are more prone too stress. In the lots most of these cattle are insured and are required to be checked for cause of death by an vet. Some of these yards that have experienced this before have installed sprinklers for use during these situations.
I am currently in west central OK. I pulled CIDRS that Friday evening and Saturday morning. The conditions were so bad I almost cancelled the project. I took it slow and still about got too hot. The cows and calves were standing with their mouths open before I started. I was fortunate and made it through ok, when we AIed Monday morning the temperature was higher but the humidity was lower and there was an nice breeze. It made a big difference even though the temperature was higher. Many of these yards are 50,000 head or more. So as whole these deaths were a small percentage. These cattle belonged to more than one yard. They weren't all from one yard from what I've learned. I worked for a vet at one time and my Dad worked in yards the last few years of his life. Like I stated it has happened before. Many making posts questioning this is the cause for the deaths evidently have no experience or knowledge about this issue and what they are commenting about.
First one reason many feedyards were built in that area was because of the normal low humidity and consistent air movement. In the rare instances where there is high humidity, no or little air flow and some heat is when you see this issue. It happens mainly to fat cattle in feedyards but have seen it happen too show cattle and other cattle that are more prone too stress. In the lots most of these cattle are insured and are required to be checked for cause of death by an vet. Some of these yards that have experienced this before have installed sprinklers for use during these situations.
I am currently in west central OK. I pulled CIDRS that Friday evening and Saturday morning. The conditions were so bad I almost cancelled the project. I took it slow and still about got too hot. The cows and calves were standing with their mouths open before I started. I was fortunate and made it through ok, when we AIed Monday morning the temperature was higher but the humidity was lower and there was an nice breeze. It made a big difference even though the temperature was higher. Many of these yards are 50,000 head or more. So as whole these deaths were a small percentage. These cattle belonged to more than one yard. They weren't all from one yard from what I've learned. I worked for a vet at one time and my Dad worked in yards the last few years of his life. Like I stated it has happened before. Many making posts questioning this is the cause for the deaths evidently have no experience or knowledge about this issue and what they are commenting about.