Farmers are being reminded of the steps they can take to protect themselves and their animals during the current hot weather.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for high temperatures across the country which will remain in place until Friday morning (June 26).

Maximum temperatures in excess of 27°C are expected in the coming days. On Thursday, temperatures could possibly reach 30° or more in places.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has also issued a 'Condition Orange' warning, indicating high fire risk.

Hot weather

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said it is important that farmers, horse and pet owners take steps to protect their animals during high temperatures.

The minister said this is to "avoid the possibility of serious health and welfare problems arising due to the excessive heat".

"Having adequate shelter or shade and ensuring a plentiful supply of drinking water are particularly important to protect animals from heat stroke and discomfort," he said.

Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins advised farmers and outdoor workers to protect themselves in the hot weather and be "sun smart".

"Farmers are the most important asset on any farm. Farmers and outdoor workers must stay safe in the sun by avoiding the intense heat during peak hours from 11:00a.m to 3:00p.m.

"When outside farmers should wear light, loose-fitting clothes that cover the skin, alongside a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

"Finally, always stay in the shade whenever possible and keep well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day," he added.

Fires

Minister Collins also warned that arising from current high temperatures a high fire risk exists in all areas where dead grasses and dry shrubs such as heather and gorse exist.

"I would encourage all landowners and managers to be vigilant to all fire activity and to report all suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána.

"Fire lines, Fire Plans, fire suppression equipment should be made ready.

"I would also remind the public to cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas," he said.

Advice for farm animals and horses

The ministers offered the following advice to reduce the impact of high temperatures on farm animals and horses:

Ensure plentiful supply of drinking water

The number of watering points and water flow may need to be increased during hot weather as demand increases;
Drinking points should be checked more often during hot weather to ensure they are working and that water pressure is adequate;
Stock should be monitored for signs of problems with water supply such as queuing or crowding at water points.

Ensure access to suitable shade or shelter

Vulnerable animals such as very young, old, or sick animals may need to be moved to a location with additional shade or shelter where they can be monitored more closely;
Holding areas for livestock and horses should have shaded areas available where possible and holding times should be minimised;
Outdoor poultry should have access to shade;
Outdoor pigs require access to a wallow to cool down, especially if the temperature is above 25°, as pigs are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

Minimise handling and transport

Movement or handling of cattle and other animals during hot weather can increase their body temperature by 0.5 to 3.5°, causing heat stress;
Minimise handling in hot weather- if necessary, ensure animals are handled as early or late in the day as possible to coincide with cooler temperatures;
Avoid transporting animals in hot weather where possible;
If transport is necessary, plan to minimise journey length, transport during cooler hours and reduce the stocking density to allow for more airflow inside the vehicle;
Intensively housed species (pigs and poultry) may need additional checks;
Monitor the temperature in the animal accommodation closely and adjust ventilation accordingly;
Where automatic ventilation systems are in place, increase the frequency of monitoring of alarm and back-up systems;
Use water sprinklers for pigs to help cool them down;
Reduce stocking densities where necessary to increase air space and flow and to reduce the effect of heat generated by the animals themselves.

Monitor all livestock closely for health issues or heat stress

Livestock should always be checked more frequently in hot weather. Animals at a higher risk of heat stress include young, dark-coloured or pregnant animals, animals recovering from illness, pigs and high-producing dairy cows;
Signs of heat stress include faster breathing or panting; loss of appetite; increased water intake; drooling; listlessness or lethargy. In severe cases, animals may become unconscious;
If you suspect an animal may be heat stressed, it is vital to act quickly;
Steps to manage heat stressed animals include moving them to shade or shelter; offering cool water; using sprinklers for cattle, pigs and horses, or allow the animals to stand in cool water; increase ventilation for housed species such as pigs and poultry; and reduce the stocking density to allow animals to lie out. If there is no improvement, seek veterinary assistance without delay.

Advice for pet owners

The minister also suggested the steps you should take to ensure pets are safe in hot weather including:

Ensuring plentiful supply of drinking water both inside and outdoors;
Ensuring access to suitable shade or shelter away from direct sunlight;
Never leave your dog unattended in a car, even if the car is parked in the shade or with windows open. The temperature inside the car may rise rapidly, causing heat stroke which can be fatal;
Exercise your dog in the morning or the evening when temperatures are cooler. On longer walks, bring water for your dog to drink;
Surfaces that heat up in the sun, such as tarmac, pavements and sand, may be painful for your dog’s paws. If the surface is too hot for you to touch, walk your dog on grass or in shaded areas instead;
Regular grooming/clipping of dogs, particularly those with long or thick hair, helps dogs regulate their body temperature during hot weather;
As dogs can get sunburn, limit their exposure to direct sunlight and apply sunscreen to their ear tips and bridge of their nose if necessary;
Be aware of the signs of heat stroke. If dogs become too hot, this may lead to heat stroke, a serious condition which can be fatal. Signs of heat stroke include heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness or seizures;
If you suspect your dog has heat exhaustion or heat stroke, please seek immediate veterinary attention and try to cool the dog down by moving to a cooler location, preferably indoors, wetting their body, ears and paws with cool (not very cold) water and offering small volumes of cool or lukewarm (not cold) water to drink.