This week brings a welcome spell of hot weather to many parts of the country, with temperatures in excess of 30°C expected.

While this offers farmers a much-waited break to tidy up first cuts and some starting second-cut silage, it has management difficulties for livestock.

Ensuring cattle have a sufficient supply of water is the first and most important factor in hot weather.

Keeping a close watch on cattle is important and, if possible, they should be checked twice daily. Groups of cattle under the most stress need careful monitoring – spring-calving cows rearing calves will be under the most pressure.

Observing young breeding bulls and teasers in this weather is also vital, young bulls that may be overworking themselves may need to be removed from the cows for a short period.

The strongest of the spring-born male calves may start chasing cows and should also be removed to prevent cases of pneumonia.

Moving cattle to shaved paddocks for a couple days would help prevent cases of heat stress and offer shelter from the extreme heat in the middle of the day.

Grass supply

Cattle will graze less during the hottest period in the middle of the day; ensure they have good grass supply in the mornings and evenings, as intake will be reduced due to the weather.

The hot and humid weather will also increase fly activity. This will bring issues such as summer mastitis – carefully watch dry cows and heifers as they are typically put in the highest fly areas on farm, the rough grazing.

Watch cattle that are housed, they will need good air flow as sheds full of large, finished cattle this time of year can become congested and may cause cases of heat stress of pneumonia.

Alternatively, calves that are still not at grass yet should also be monitored – ensure adequate air is getting into sheds.

Finally, most importantly, farmers should keep themselves covered and hydrated. Top up sunscreen throughout the day – skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ireland.