Livestock producers have their hands full keeping animals safe from high temperatures, including turkey producers.
“It’s really unfortunate a couple of days of 100-degree heat our turkey population has been taking a hit the last couple of days, and that’s unfortunate for those farmers. I think they take every precaution, but the heat just brings on stress, and a lot of times, it’s the stress that is what is too much for some of our poultry or livestock. So, I know farmers are doing everything they can. I was on some of our bigger feedlots out here in southwest Minnesota yesterday and last night and just saw them working to try and keep those cattle cool and give them plenty of water. But we just need those cooler temperatures to come sooner than later,” said Thom Peterson.
Peterson is not able to say exactly how many birds have been lost, but says the State Department of Agriculture is working with producers to help them recover.
