Last week, Dan Furlin and his daughter Danielle spent more time in the pasture checking their cows and in an outdoor lot checking pigs than they did in their air conditioned home. As temperatures soared into the 90s last week, the Furlins kept a close eye on their animals.

"When they’re comfortable, they’re eating, they’re gaining weight — especially the calves," said Furlin, an Appanoose County Farm Bureau member.

In the pasture, cow/calf pairs grazed on the grass, eventually making their way to the water tanks.

"Water is the biggest thing," he said. "Good, clean water is important."

The cattle slowly made their way to a grove of trees, where they rested ...