On August 21st, I hosted a Brunch & Learn session on "Heat Stress Management in Livestock" at the local stockyard. With around 20 attendees, the program aimed to equip farmers with practical strategies to manage their livestock during extreme heat events. Participants learned about the signs of heat stress, effective cooling techniques, and ways to adjust management practices to protect their animals.

The timing of this session proved to be critical. The following week, temperatures spiked, and the region faced increasing drought conditions. Many of the attendees were able to immediately implement the strategies discussed during the program, helping to mitigate heat stress in their herds. Farmers who attended learned making adjustments such as providing additional water sources, enhancing shade availability, and altering feeding schedules to the cooler parts of the day.

Pparticipants shared that the knowledge gained from the session allowed him to make informed management decisions that kept his cattle comfortable during a particularly challenging week. Many were able to maintain his herd's health and productivity despite the extreme weather conditions.

This program not only provided vital information at a crucial time but also demonstrated the importance of timely educational outreach in supporting our farming community through adverse weather challenges.