Oklahoma Farm Report masthead graphic with wheat on the left and cattle on the right.
Howdy Neighbors!
Ron Hays, Director of Farm and Ranch Programming, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network  |  2401 Exchange Ave, Suite F, Oklahoma City, Ok 73108  |  (405) 601-9211

advertisements
   
   
   
   
   

Agricultural News


New Shade System at Texas Tech University's Beef Center Helps Keep Cattle Comfortable, Healthy

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 11:13:30 CDT

New Shade System at Texas Tech University's Beef Center Helps Keep Cattle Comfortable, Healthy


An innovative, new animal welfare product recently installed at the Texas Tech University Beef Center is providing researchers a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact that shade can have on animal health and wellness.


The shade system was developed and sold by NetPro, an Australian company that focuses on animal welfare products and solutions for livestock producers. After learning about the NetPro system, faculty and staff in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences recognized its potential benefits and was excited to install one for the cattle at the Beef Center.


Nathan Reeves, director of the Beef Center, helped oversee the installation process. He said he has already seen the positive effects it has on the cattle, noting the system can reduce temperatures on the pen floors by as much as 20-30 degrees.


"At first I was skeptical," Reeves said. "Change is a really hard thing for people to get ahold of, but I think being open-minded and adaptable and looking at the change that has happened with these cattle on their overall well-being, has been incredible."


Reeves said optimal animal welfare is a top priority for Texas Tech, and the shade system has made a drastic difference to the research program. At the Beef Center, there are currently 13 pens where the shade system services cattle. The NetPro system is composed of 39-foot by 56-foot shade cloths suspended in the air by cables in a checkerboard pattern. The cloth can block up to 70 percent of Ultraviolet (UV) rays for the cattle, which reduces heat stress.


The system can handle the harsh weather that can occur in West Texas. It can withstand wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. The unique checkerboard pattern allows the sun to reach the pen floor to dry mud after a big thunderstorm. Since the system is generally targeted for late spring to mid-summer, when it is generally the hottest, it can be rolled up in the fall and stored to protect it from snow and ice.


Reeves acknowledged there was a large initial cost associated with installing a structure of this size, but based on the production benefits he has seen, it can be a great asset in ensuring the well being and comfort of the cattle.


Installation of the Net Pro system was performed by collaborators from Texas Tech, NetPro and McCalihane, Arizona-based JBS 5 Cattle Feeders.


Source - Texas Tech University




   

 

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI

 


Top Agricultural News

  • Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions Sale Order Available Here- Sale Set for 4 PM Friday  Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:50:54 CDT
  • Rural Voters Dominated Vote to Defeat Recreational Marijuana March 7th  Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:13:05 CST
  • Ron Hays Talks to Israeli Ag Tour Guide Colin Lotzof About the Miraclel of Ag in Israel  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:11:04 CST
  • OALP Members Experience First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:51:49 CST
  • OALP Members Get First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:50:10 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Fruit, Beef and Dairy Production North of the Sea of Galilee in Israel  Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:56:02 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Diverse Farm Operations in Jordan River Valley of Israel  Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:17:30 CST
  • Israeli Tour Guide Mark Kedem Talks About The Cultural Aspects of What Class XX of OALP is Experiencing   Sat, 18 Feb 2023 22:17:23 CST

  • More Headlines...

       

    Ron salutes our daily email sponsors!

    Oklahoma Beef council Oklahoma Ag Credit Oklahoma Farm Bureau National Livestock Credit Ag Mediation Program P&K Equipment Oklahoma City Farm Show Union Mutual Stillwater Milling Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association KIS FUTURES, INC.
       
       
       
       
       

    Search OklahomaFarmReport.com

    © 2008-2024 Oklahoma Farm Report
    Email Ron   |   Newsletter Signup   |    Current Spots   |    Program Links

    WebReady powered by WireReady® Inc.