Are your wondering how to feed livestock during summer in Texas? As the Texas summer brings intense heat, you need to adjust your livestock’s diet to keep them healthy and productive. High temperatures can cause animals to eat less while their bodies work harder to stay cool, creating a nutritional challenge. At Odiorne Feed, we can help you choose the right feed for hot weather.

First, focus on digestion. The process of breaking down food generates body heat. You should switch to feeds that are easier to digest, which minimizes this internal heat production. For cattle and other ruminants, this means providing high-quality, easily digestible forages and supplementing with energy-dense feeds that don’t rely heavily on fiber for their caloric content.

Hydration is just as important as nutrition. Ensure your animals have constant access to fresh, cool, and clean water. An adult cow can drink over 20 gallons of water a day in hot weather. Consider adding electrolytes to their water source to replenish essential minerals lost through sweating.

Finally, manage feeding times. Animals are more likely to eat during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening. Adjust your feeding schedule to match their natural behavior. Providing mineral and salt supplements helps ensure they get all the necessary nutrients they might miss by eating less. By carefully managing their diet, you help your livestock handle the stress of a Johnson City summer. Visit our store to find everything you need when planning how to feed livestock during summer in Texas.