Australia is known for its extreme climate, with temperatures ranging from scorching heat to freezing cold — sometimes dropping as low as -5°C. As we saw this summer, temperatures sat above 40°C for extended periods. These weather extremes can impact animal welfare, productivity and reproduction across agricultural businesses, affecting the bottom line of livestock enterprises.

This summer brought several prolonged heatwaves that challenged cattle and sheep in feedlots. These animals can suffer from heat stress, which affects their overall health and productivity. High temperatures often lead to reduced feed intake, slower growth rates, and increased respiratory distress as livestock try to dissipate heat and maintain thermoregulation. Heat stress can also compromise immune function, making animals more vulnerable to disease.  

Now, as we head into winter, the cold brings its challenges to cattle and sheep growth. Low temperatures increase animals' energy requirements, as they need to burn energy to maintain their body temperature. For every degree below the lower critical temperature, energy intake needs to increase by approximately 1%. Cold stress can also weaken the immune system.

To reduce the effects of heat and cold, it’s essential to provide adequate shelter and ensure livestock have access to feed and water. Milne Feeds has you covered with premium quality feed solutions. Backed by technical expertise and over 110 years of experience in livestock feeding, our feeds provide your livestock with optimal nutrition to support safe weight gain — and right now, "Condition is King".

When it comes to shelter, there are many options: from trees and shade sails to large, purpose-built sheds. Some farms even build shelters using leftover timber and tin.

Here are a couple of practical examples:

• Farm-built shelter: Made from timber poles, corrugated tin, and steel trusses, this on-farm construction is simple yet highly effective. In winter, a wall of straw bales is added to provide a windbreak and reduce cold exposure.

• Commercial shelter: Designed to protect 500–600 sheep at a time, this setup is just as effective as a home-built version but accommodates larger numbers.

• ‍Shade shelter: Helps reduce direct heat from the sun, contributing to improved comfort and productivity.

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All of these shelters play a key role in supporting anima welfare and boosting production outcomes. For more information, check out the following article from MLA:

Frontiers | Strategies for mitigating heat stress and their effects on behaviour, physiological indicators, and growth performance in communally managed feedlot cattle

For more information on Milne Feeds sheep feeds, call Paul Nenke on 0407 720 040.

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