Heat Killing Cattle

   WATERTOWN, S.D. (AP) - State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven
(OH'-duh-koh-ven) says between 1,000 and 1,500 head of cattle have
died across the state from the prolonged excessive heat.
     Oedekoven says reports are still coming in and those numbers
could go up.
     Grant County Extension Livestock Specialist Duaine Marxen says
that it's important for livestock producers to keep close watch on their
herds but not overreact.
     Marxen says spraying extremely hot cattle with water can
actually do more harm than good as capillaries in the skin surface
can shut down and get tight.
     He suggests providing whatever shade and breeze is possible.
Ranchers can also go into the lot, push up a mound of dirt and
water down the mound to give cattle a cool space.