Heat stress blamed for thousands of cattle deaths

Agency spokesman Matt Lara said he expects that number to rise as more feedlots report losses from this week’s heat wave.

By

State News

June 17, 2022 - 4:39 PM

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of cattle in feedlots in southwestern Kansas have died of heat stress due to soaring temperatures, high humidity and little wind in recent days, industry officials said.

The final toll remains unclear, but as of Thursday at least 2,000 heat-related deaths had been reported to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the state agency that assists in disposing of carcasses. Agency spokesman Matt Lara said he expects that number to rise as more feedlots report losses from this week’s heat wave.

The cattle deaths have sparked unsubstantiated reports on social media and elsewhere that something besides the weather is at play, but Kansas agriculture officials said there’s no indication of any other cause.

Related
June 23, 2022
July 10, 2019
February 12, 2016
July 21, 2012