Rodeo Livestock Battle the Heat in Northwest Arkansas
By: KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: July 6, 2012
Rodeo livestock performing through Saturday in Northwest Arkansas are getting some extra care to stay comfortable in the heat.
"It is crucial on these animals to make sure they have the proper care," said Cody Kidd with Smith Pro Rodeo.
Providing the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale with livestock is no easy task.
"We have a wide variety of horses, bulls, calves and steers," said Kidd. And it is much more difficult when temperatures reach around 100. "In Oklahoma and Arkansas, it is unbearable for this time of year."
Kidd is responsible for the animals and he says they take every precaution including having a vet on standby 24 hours a day.
"We come out here twice a day and spray these animals down to make sure they are in the comfort level they need to be in to perform at night," said Kidd.
Kidd says despite the fact that Texas-based Smith Pro Rodeo is not from Arkansas, the climate here is not too different from their home state.
"The animals are pretty much used to it. Now you will see a little bit of climate change as you come up a little bit more drier up this way," said Kidd. "You will see them with their tongues hanging out," said Rancher John Hart.
Hart says keeping livestock stress-free is vital in these hot, dry conditions.
"That is my number one thing is that they be comfortable and keep them out of stress. If you have got stressed cattle, you are going to have problems with the milk quality and all kinds of problems," said Hart.
And it takes a lot of work. Besides shade, water and fans, Hart says the right food plays a big role in keeping these animals cool. "Long hay makes them more stressful. It takes more energy to break down long hay," said Hart.
These animals are literal cash cows, so both Hart and Kidd know that taking good care of them also means protecting their own investments.
"Without these athletes we don't have a show. We can all show up but without the great quality of stock we provide each and every year, it hinges on 100-percent of these guys performing at their best," said Kidd.
"If your cows are not going to be as healthy you are going to lose them. And you will have to take them to the sale barn," said Hart.
And Hart also says how big an animal is depends on how much heat they can cope with.
"It is crucial on these animals to make sure they have the proper care," said Cody Kidd with Smith Pro Rodeo.
Providing the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale with livestock is no easy task.
"We have a wide variety of horses, bulls, calves and steers," said Kidd. And it is much more difficult when temperatures reach around 100. "In Oklahoma and Arkansas, it is unbearable for this time of year."
Kidd is responsible for the animals and he says they take every precaution including having a vet on standby 24 hours a day.
"We come out here twice a day and spray these animals down to make sure they are in the comfort level they need to be in to perform at night," said Kidd.
Kidd says despite the fact that Texas-based Smith Pro Rodeo is not from Arkansas, the climate here is not too different from their home state.
"The animals are pretty much used to it. Now you will see a little bit of climate change as you come up a little bit more drier up this way," said Kidd. "You will see them with their tongues hanging out," said Rancher John Hart.
Hart says keeping livestock stress-free is vital in these hot, dry conditions.
"That is my number one thing is that they be comfortable and keep them out of stress. If you have got stressed cattle, you are going to have problems with the milk quality and all kinds of problems," said Hart.
And it takes a lot of work. Besides shade, water and fans, Hart says the right food plays a big role in keeping these animals cool. "Long hay makes them more stressful. It takes more energy to break down long hay," said Hart.
These animals are literal cash cows, so both Hart and Kidd know that taking good care of them also means protecting their own investments.
"Without these athletes we don't have a show. We can all show up but without the great quality of stock we provide each and every year, it hinges on 100-percent of these guys performing at their best," said Kidd.
"If your cows are not going to be as healthy you are going to lose them. And you will have to take them to the sale barn," said Hart.
And Hart also says how big an animal is depends on how much heat they can cope with.
