Late Summer Heat Wave Could Stress Livestock

This year in Kentucky, much of the summer has felt like early fall, but the heat is going to rally over the next several days, prompting concern about livestock heat stress.

“Air temperature and humidity can combine into a one-two punch that makes it hazardous for people and animals,” said Matthew Dixon, meteorologist for the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Dew point temperatures above 65 degrees lead officials to declare livestock heat stress emergency alerts.”

Dixon said temperatures over the past seven weeks have been below normal, and the livestock heat stress index has sta