Development of a graphical web-based heat stress forecast for feedlot cattle

Until the mid 1990’s, livestock producers had access to National Weather Service (NWS) livestock weather warnings through local news outlets. The heat stress warnings were forecasts based on predicted temperature and humidity values (temperature humidity index – THI). After this service was discontinued producers were left to interpret weather data on their own. To fill this need, livestock weather warnings (based on THI) were made available through several university web sites. However, THI is limited because it does not account for the effects of sun intensity or wind speed.