Blazing hot days and dry weather have wilted Kingfisher County lawns, pastures, gardens and lawns … and people.

Not only that but livestock and pets suffer during extreme heat.

Kingfisher County Extension Director/Ag Educator Bryan Kennedy offered some tips this week to help local residents and their property to get through the hot weather with minimal stress.

Spotty showers fell in areas early Sunday but 100 degree-plus temperatures later in the day quickly sucked up the moisture. Kennedy said he got .4 inch at his residence west of Hennessey.

Mike and Donna Reid, southwest of Kingfisher. also reported .4 inch while Jason Patty a mile away reported only .27 inch.

The Mesonet site west of Kingfisher recorded .14 inch. Twila Adams east of Kingfisher reported .2 inch.

Local Weather Observer Steve Loftis reported no rainfall at the National Weather Station in Kingfisher.

Temperatures exceeding 100 degrees are forecasted for the week with a high of 107 degrees on Thursday.

Kennedy reported hay is in short supply as pastures produce less forage.

“It’s a tough deal out there, right now,” he said.

He said water and shade, along with sufficient feed, are paramount needs for cattle during such times.

He suggests that if cattle require working, do it early in the morning when its cooler.

In extremely hot weather, cattle’s body temperatures increase above normal normal during the heat of the day and cool off at night when temperature drop. It takes several hours, however, for this to occur. Although air temperatures often decline in the late afternoon or evening, the animal’s body temperature may not fully recover its normal level until 2 or 3 a.m., after several hours of cooler temperatures.

He advises moving cattle out of pastures without trees or providing a shade structure, either temporary or permanent, if possible.

Dave Sparks, OSU livestock quality and health extension specialist said in a release the easiest answer to protecting cattle from heat is a shade tree.