The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that at least 2,000 cattle deaths have already been reported in recent days due to the extremely high temperatures. According to spokesman Matthew Lara, farmers and companies contacted the ministry to ask for advice about the disposal of the carcasses.
Kansas is the third largest US livestock state after Texas and Nebraska, with over 2.4 million livestock.
Livestock began to suffer from the heat as temperatures and humidity in western Kansas suddenly skyrocketed over the weekend and the cooling winds dissipated, explains Scarlett Hagins, spokeswoman for the Kansas Livestock Association. The animals were unable to acclimate to the sudden change, it said. In the northwest of the state, the mercury rose to 42 degrees Celsius on Monday. Temperatures may rise even more over the weekend, although stronger winds and lower humidity will help limit deaths.
“It’s going to be oppressively hot and stressful for the animals,” said Drew Lerner, the head of the local weather agency. Livestock farmers provide their animals with extra water and continuously check the health of their livestock. “When it’s this hot, you have to keep a close eye on your animals and make sure they have enough water,” said Brenda Masek, the president of the Nebraska Cattlemen organization.
