We have needed heat units to get our crops growing, but we didn’t need it all to come in the same week.  You have to love our weather.  It was just two weeks ago that we had a mild frost and now we have extreme heat warnings.  I have written several times about temperature related stress for our livestock, but this week I would like to focus on ourselves.  You have the same jobs to do regardless of the weather, but when we get to these extremes there is nothing wrong with delaying a job to protect your own health.

It is important to understand what heat stress is, and how to recognize the symptoms.  Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to dissipate heat from environmental temperatures and humidity, and physical exertion.  This isn’t the same as just being hot.  Early heat stress symptoms will include fatigue, thirst, and general mild discomfort.  As symptoms worsen, you may experience muscle cramping, increased heart rate, headache, confusion, upset stomach, and excessive sweating or inability to sweat.  Some individuals may have underlying health conditions or be on certain medications that predispose them to greater heat stress risks.  Heat stress can advance to heat exhaustion and if untreated, heat stroke.

Keys to heat stress prevention

Prevention is always recommended. 

• Avoid jobs that require a high level of physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.  Try to do these jobs first thing in the morning or later in the evening.
• Take a five-to-ten-minute break every hour in a shaded place, preferably with good air flow.
• Over hydrate.  Try and drink 32 oz of water each time you take a break.
• Acclimate to the heat.  The rapid change in temperature made it hard this week, but slowly and gradually increase the amount of time working in hot conditions.
• Wear light colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing
• Don’t forget sunscreen and hats when working in direct sun.
• Monitor each other for signs of heat stress

If you believe someone is experiencing heat stress, it is important to immediately move them to a shaded area and put a fan on them.  If there is any doubt about the severity of their situation, call 911 for medical assistance.  You can soak, spray, sponge or shower the individual with cool water.  Don’t use ice water, but cold tap water is fine.  Above all, try to get them to drink fluids. Water or sports drinks are preferred.  Avoid high sugar drinks.

Reduced cost forage sampling

Given the added challenges farmers have experienced this spring to harvest forages at the ideal time, OSU Extension is offering a reduced cost forage testing program.  You can drop wet or dry samples off at the Extension office during the month of July.  We will begin running the tests on August 7th and return your results the week of August 18^th.  The first sample will be $15 and additional samples can be submitted for $20 each.  Sample information forms can be completed at drop off or you can find them on the Beef Team website at beef.osu.edu.  All samples will be analyzed using Near Infrared (NIR) and you will receive values for dry matter content, total digestible nutrients, crude protein, ADF, NDF, Ash, fat, C, P, and K.

The Wayne-Ashland Dairy Service Unit will host their annual Dairy Summit and Twilight Tour on July 15^th.  This year’s host is the Sarah Douglas family at Zido Valley Dairy and the main event sponsors are Lowe & Young Equipment, Slicker Farms, and Avodah Contractors.  The Dairy Summit will begin at 3:00 PM.  Glen Arnold will be discussing his research on the application of dairy manure and Dr. Ryan Haden will discuss the impact of perennial forages and manure application on soil health.  There will also be updates from ODA Director Brian Baldridge, new OSU Extension ANR Program Leader Chris Zoller, and ODPA President Scott Higgins.  The Twilight Tour will run from 6 to 9 PM.  There will be a variety of food trucks available for dinner options.  Meals are $10 per person.  Attendees can view the tradeshow and tour the dairy facility. 

Finally, we are planning a cow feeding clinic for August 8^th at the OSU Wooster Campus shop.  The all-day program will discuss factors affecting feed quality, feed mixer management for delivery of quality feed, evaluating your feeding program, and developing feed mixing protocols.  The event is free, and lunch will be provided.  If you are interested in any of these programs, you can check out the events calendar on our website at wayne.osu.edu.  As always, I wish you a safe and prosperous planting season.  If you have any questions or would like more information about one of our programs, you can contact me at the OSU Extension office – Wayne County at 330-264-8722.