Heat Wave Kills Cows, Pigs and Poultry

JAPAN - Nearly 1,200 cows have died nationwide due to the summer's intense heat, the government said on Friday, 3 September, calling for measures to prevent more deaths as the hot spell continues.
calendar icon 6 September 2010
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A total of 1,194 cows — 959 for milk and 235 for meat — died of heatstroke and other heat-related causes between 1 July and 15 August, while 657 pigs, 289,000 broiler chickens and 136,000 chickens that lay eggs also died, according to a survey by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.

According to The Japan Times, all figures rose compared with the last survey in 2008, with the total number of cow deaths increasing by 232, pigs by 130, broilers by 119,000 and egg-laying chickens by 80,000.

To prevent more deaths, the ministry said it has instructed regional agricultural administration officials to make sure livestock farmers are taking measures, such as putting heat shield materials on the walls and roofs of barns and using fans to lower the temperature inside.

The latest survey does not cover Miyazaki Prefecture, which was hit by foot-and-mouth disease.

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