Why can heat stress be dangerous for cattle in feedlots?

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Livestock farming Pregnant brown and white Guernsey cow.

Heat stress is a significant danger in feedlots because it can be fatal to cattle. This risk is primarily driven by the combination of high ambient temperatures, the animals' heavy body weights, and their dark hides, which absorb more solar radiation.

Because many feedlots are located in arid regions and may lack sufficient natural shade, these factors create an environment where cattle struggle to regulate their body temperature effectively. To mitigate this life-threatening condition, operators often install sunshades to provide necessary relief from the sun.