Temperatures in South Dakota this week climbed into the mid-90s to over 100 degrees, making being outdoors more stressful for humans and animals.
Veterinarian Dr. Eric Knock is a partner in Prairie View Vet Clinic in central South Dakota.
He says having a plentiful source of clean water is critical to helping livestock and other animals on the farm or ranch cope with the extreme heat.
Whether it’s in a tank, a stock dam, a well or other source, Knock says the quality of the water available does make a difference.
Knock says having shade available for livestock can also make a big difference in how well they handle the hot temperatures.
He also says if animals are in an enclosed or confined space, giving them room to spread out so air can circulate is also helpful.