One concern about cattle drinking stagnant pond water during hot, dry weather is the presence of certain species of blue-green algae. Toxic blue green algae blooms occur on or near the water surface under conditions including hot, sunny days and warm, nutrient-rich water.
Pastures and native range that are dormant due to drought conditions may be low in vitamin A, phosphorus and protein. Meeting the need for these nutrients is important in maintaining herd productivity.
The mineral mixture during drought or after wildfire should be:
One of the simplest ways to reduce nutrient requirements is to wean the calf. Early weaned calves can achieve adequate rates of growth if given access to a high quality ration.
Hay cut under moisture stressed conditions, especially grain type hays, may contain high levels of nitrate. It is recommended to test for nitrate before feeding such hays, especially before feeding large amounts.