Post by cjm on Nov 27, 2023 6:49:11 GMT
Heat wave conditions with persistently high temperatures are expected- North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape & Eastern Cape
Dear all
Kindly receive the severe weather alert below and disseminate widely as stipulated in the NAC and EWC terms of reference.
In the light of this severe weather alert as produced by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and other centers, the following advisory guidelines are suggested. It is emphasized that these advisories are broad guidelines and should be interpreted considering the local aspects of the region such as soil types, cultural preferences and farming systems. Depending on the particular region, the prioritization of the guidelines will differ. The basic strategy to follow would be to minimize and diversify risk. The province should further simplify, downscale and package the information according to their language preference and if possible use local radio stations and farmers’ days in disseminating the information.
Advisories issued by SAWS: valid for the 27th of November 2023
A. Heat wave conditions with persistently high temperatures are expected over Joe Gqabi and Matatiele local Municipality of the Eastern Cape,Limpopo,Free State, North-West Province and in places over the Northern Cape until Tuesday but persisting until Monday over Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
B. Extremely uncomfortable conditions are expected in places over the interior of the Western Cape and Namakwa district in the Northern Cape.
C. Extremely hot conditions (day temperatures 40deg Celsius and above) are expected in places over the Northern Cape, Cederberg and Bergrivier municipalities in the Western Cape.
Heat stress can greatly impact cattle producers through decreased milk production and subsequent calf growth, decreased reproductive performance in cows and bulls, and decreased stocker and feeder performance. Heat stress occur when the animal’s attempt to dissipate heat is unsuccessful or overwhelmed, and the animal’s performance or health suffers as a result.
Managing animals and crops during hot weather
The following strategies can be applied for livestock during times of very hot conditions:
Identify animals that are most susceptible to heat stress.
Develop an action plan for heat stress.
Animals in heat stress need to drink water
Move the animals’ feeding time to late afternoon or evening.
Air movement is an additional factor that promotes animal cooling.
Cool the ground and the cattle gradually.
Provide shade if possible.
Adding bedding to the ground can reduce the temperature of the ground on which cattle are lying.
Control flies as much as possible
most importantly, do not work cattle during extreme temperature
Pay attention to long- and short-term weather forecasts and have a copy of the temperature humidity index chart readily available.
The following strategies can be applied for crop production during times of very hot conditions:
Do not irrigate during the day as more water will evaporate.
Irrigate early in the morning or afternoon.
Choosing more and better heat and drought resistant crops. e.g. sorghum/ millet
Consider mulching to minimize evaporation.
A comprehensive list of strategies can be found in the monthly NAC Advisory. It can be accessed from the following websites: www.dalrrd.gov.za.
For more information contact:-
Directorate: Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Private Bag X 250
Pretoria 0001
Tel: 012 319 6775
Email: MittaA@Dalrrd.gov.za
Dear all
Kindly receive the severe weather alert below and disseminate widely as stipulated in the NAC and EWC terms of reference.
In the light of this severe weather alert as produced by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and other centers, the following advisory guidelines are suggested. It is emphasized that these advisories are broad guidelines and should be interpreted considering the local aspects of the region such as soil types, cultural preferences and farming systems. Depending on the particular region, the prioritization of the guidelines will differ. The basic strategy to follow would be to minimize and diversify risk. The province should further simplify, downscale and package the information according to their language preference and if possible use local radio stations and farmers’ days in disseminating the information.
Advisories issued by SAWS: valid for the 27th of November 2023
A. Heat wave conditions with persistently high temperatures are expected over Joe Gqabi and Matatiele local Municipality of the Eastern Cape,Limpopo,Free State, North-West Province and in places over the Northern Cape until Tuesday but persisting until Monday over Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
B. Extremely uncomfortable conditions are expected in places over the interior of the Western Cape and Namakwa district in the Northern Cape.
C. Extremely hot conditions (day temperatures 40deg Celsius and above) are expected in places over the Northern Cape, Cederberg and Bergrivier municipalities in the Western Cape.
Heat stress can greatly impact cattle producers through decreased milk production and subsequent calf growth, decreased reproductive performance in cows and bulls, and decreased stocker and feeder performance. Heat stress occur when the animal’s attempt to dissipate heat is unsuccessful or overwhelmed, and the animal’s performance or health suffers as a result.
Managing animals and crops during hot weather
The following strategies can be applied for livestock during times of very hot conditions:
Identify animals that are most susceptible to heat stress.
Develop an action plan for heat stress.
Animals in heat stress need to drink water
Move the animals’ feeding time to late afternoon or evening.
Air movement is an additional factor that promotes animal cooling.
Cool the ground and the cattle gradually.
Provide shade if possible.
Adding bedding to the ground can reduce the temperature of the ground on which cattle are lying.
Control flies as much as possible
most importantly, do not work cattle during extreme temperature
Pay attention to long- and short-term weather forecasts and have a copy of the temperature humidity index chart readily available.
The following strategies can be applied for crop production during times of very hot conditions:
Do not irrigate during the day as more water will evaporate.
Irrigate early in the morning or afternoon.
Choosing more and better heat and drought resistant crops. e.g. sorghum/ millet
Consider mulching to minimize evaporation.
A comprehensive list of strategies can be found in the monthly NAC Advisory. It can be accessed from the following websites: www.dalrrd.gov.za.
For more information contact:-
Directorate: Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Private Bag X 250
Pretoria 0001
Tel: 012 319 6775
Email: MittaA@Dalrrd.gov.za