MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS IN YOUR FEEDLOT

Heat stress in cattle can compromise the health and performance of your cattle in several ways¹:

HEAT STRESS = ECONOMIC LOSSES

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HEAT STRESS

A combination of two or more of the following environmental factors are leading causes of heat stress in feedlot cattle⁴:

The cattle's core temperature peaks approximately two hours after the environmental temperature peaks and takes four to six hours to lower to normal temperature.⁶ The beef cattle temperature-humidity index (THI) chart demonstrates the risk level in planning cattle handling during the summer months.⁶ Download this THI chart to evaluate the risk to your operation.

CHROMIUM HELPS COMBAT HEAT STRESS

Chromium supplementation helps with heat stress in two ways:

1. Chromium helps improve the glucose utilization in animals. By enhancing the availability of glucose, the animal has more energy to help with maintenance, growth, performance and immunity.
2. During stress, cattle release a hormone called cortisol. This release alters how nutrients are utilized by the animal. Chromium supplementation has been shown to decrease the levels of cortisol in the blood, thereby alleviating the negative effects of stress on growth and performance.^7-10

Data dive:

Immunity and the impact of chromium

Feedlot cattle are often faced with immune challenges, such as heat stress, that demand increased energy efficiency to prevent sickness. Treatment for sick cattle can cost upwards of 50 U.S. dollars per head in addition to the loss in performance and carcass quality.¹¹ Research conducted at Texas Tech University suggests that supplementing the diet with chromium propionate enhances performance and immunity responses in receiving cattle.¹²

NOT ALL CHROMIUM IS ALIKE

KemTRACE^® Chromium — the first product of its kind on the market — is a water soluble, highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium propionate that helps stabilize insulin receptors in cattle. This improves glucose utilization for increased energy and proper cell function, resulting in better immunity.

KemTRACE Chromium is supported by more than 20 years of Kemin research and is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-reviewed for of chromium propionate. See the KemTRACE Chromium mode of action at work.

Ready to see how chromium can help your herd beat the heat?

Start with these resources.

Literature

Video

Dr. Lance Baumgard
Professor of Nutritional Physiology
Iowa State University

Click to watch the adjacent presentation recording by Dr. Lance Baumgard to learn more about gut health and efficient nutrient utilization in cattle during stress.

References

¹Hahn, G. L. (1999). Dynamic responses of cattle to thermal heat loads. Journal of Animal Science. 77:10-20.
²Mader, T. L., J. M. Gaughan, and B. A. Young. (1996). Feedlot diet roughage level of Hereford cattle exposed to excessive heat load. Laboratory Animal Science Professional. 15:53-62.
³Mader, T. L. (2012). Strategies to mitigate heat stress possible. Feedstuffs. 84:12.
⁴Sullivan, K. F. and T. L. Mader. (2018). Managing heat stress episodes in confined cattle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. 34:325-339.
⁵Sparke, E. J., B. A. Young, J. B. Gaughan, M. Holt, and P. J. Goodwin. (2001). Heat load in feedlot cattle (report). Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
⁶Eirich, R. (2014). Handling cattle through high heat humidity indexes. University of Nebraska- Lincoln. beef.unl.edu/handling-cattle-through high-heat-humidity-indexes.
⁷Puvadolpirod S., J. P. Thaxton. 2000. Model of physiological stress in chickens 1. Response parameters. Poult. Sci. 79:363-369.
⁸Alejandro, C.-I., et al. 2014. Environmental Stress Effect on Animal Reproduction. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 4, 79-84.
⁹Miller, D.B., et al. 2002. Neuroendocrine Aspects of the Response to Stress. Metabolism. Vol 51:5-10.
¹⁰Mirfendereski, E., R. Jahanian. 2015. Effects of dietary organic chromium and vitamin C supplementation on performance, immune responses, blood metabolites, and stress status of laying hens subjected to high stocking density. Poultry Science 94:281–288.
¹¹Fike, G. D., L. R. Corah, M. E. King, and W. D. Busby. (2008). Effect of health treatments on feedlot performance, carcass traits and profitability of beef calves fed in the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (report). Certified Angus Beef LLC and Iowa State University.
¹²Bernhard, B. C., et al. (2012). Chromium supplementation alters the performance and health of feedlot cattle during the receiving period and enhances their metabolic response to and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Journal of Animal Science. 90:3879-3888.

Have a Question?

If you have a question about our products or services, or just want more information, fill out the form below and someone on our team will be in contact with you.