hen it comes to raising cattle in Iowa, summer heat can be as challenging as blizzards and freezing temps. Pests, fescue, heat stress, and drought-like conditions come with their own set of effects on cattle performance and comfort.

Iowa Beef Center Director Dan Loy says there are two aspects of proper summer cattle care – general management and mitigating immediate damage from crisis situations.

"General management is fly control, treating and containing pink-eye, and managing fescue, which exaggerates heat stress," says Loy, "And perhaps the most important element : providing ample water."

Water availability through the summer months is a priority whether cattle are in...