Worried about livestock illnesses that are heat related? Here’s an app for you.

During the summer, the heat is a great concern for farmers. When cattle health is affected from the heat, farmers will suffer a great loss. For instance, animals experiencing heat stress will produce less beef and milk.

MU livestock researchers are developing a new app to help producers identify early signs of heat stress in animals, according to MU Extension website. The smartphone app called ThermalAid to help producers monitor animals’ health condition in relation to weather condition. Using temperature and humidity index reading enables farmers to easily find out when their cattle are more prone of to heat related illnesses.

ThermalAid screenshots

ThermalAid also has a stopwatch-like feature, which can help producers to count their animals’ breathes. As we all know, the quick respiration rate is an important aspect of heat stress early sign. Having a tool to calculate the breath rate is really helpful.

The app is connected to a website, called ThermalNet. Livestock researchers collect a great amount of information to help farmers detect and alleviate heat-stress problems in their farm.

Don Spiers, MU professor of animal science, will demonstrate ThermalAid during field day activities at MU’s Southwest Research Center

Where: 14548 Highway H Mt. Vernon, MO 65712

When: Sept. 14, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.