Hot dry weather over the weekend and continuing this week in the region sets up a stressful situation for livestock. SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist Tracey Erickson says lower milk production in dairy herds is a foregone conclusion.

With the sudden change in weather animals haven’t had time to acclimate and so they may be more susceptible to heat. She says dairy producers may need to adjust their feeding programs to help prevent or mitigate the stress and water is critical.

Erickson says most dairy cattle have housing or shaded areas to escape extreme heat but ventilation and sprinkler systems can also help inside to keep them more comfortable.

Temperatures over the weekend topped 100 degrees in some areas and are expected to stay in the 90s for this week.