Managing in the heat

Review and re-plan

3. What should the next shade/cooling infrastructure project be?

• Is portable shade a better option in some of the hotter paddocks?
• Should I put up shade cloth over the yards?
• Have I got the funds to build a roofed feed pad?
• Was the sprinkler system effective? Do I need more fans?

If you need convincing that it is worth making long-term investments take a look at the graph below.

Research shows that even making a small investment to improve shade for your herds pays off - and that is after structural costs and changes in running costs have been taken into account. Of course the biggest advantage is afforded using a purpose-built shade shed with an iron roof and sprinkles but the message is that if you make an investment you will reap an improvement. Even if all you cam afford is shade cloth then it is still worth doing.