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Protect your cows from heat stress
Add Equaliser CoolCow to your rations - Don’t let the heat get the better of your herd’s performance this summer
When does heat stress kick in?
Heat stress in cows occurs from a combination of humidity and high temperatures. It is a far more common occurrence than you think. And cows have a limited capacity to control their body temperature.
It doesn’t take a prolonged hot summer like that of 2018 for cows to suffer from heat stress. Cows can be affected by high humidity and high temperatures. An ambient temperature of 22°C with a relative humidity of 60% will trigger heat stress in dairy cows.
High yielding cows are more susceptible to heat stress. They produce more heat, as part of their milk production process, but their ability to lose heat through evaporation and radiation has not increased significantly. A cow producing 45 litres of milk a day will produce 26% more heat internally than a cow producing 32 litres a day.
Is she feeling the heat? Heat stress symptoms
Cows suffering from heat stress won’t follow their normal routine. Like us, appetite will be suppressed, and feed intake will be lower. This affects production, health and fertility.
Heat stress carries a price tag for producers. Typically, feed intake and milk yield will fall, and fertility can be affected. The impact of heat stress will depend on the intensity of the heat and/or humidity, and the hours each day that the cow is subject to these conditions.
The effects of heat stress on a cow can also affect the performance of her offspring.
Trials carried out in Spain show that calves born from cows cooled during their dry period – before calving – consistently produced more milk throughout their first lactation than calves born from cows that were subject to heat stress (Monterio et al 2016). There was a difference of more than 5kg of milk per day.
Managing heat stress in cows
There are four key steps producers can address to combat the negative effects of heat stress in their dairy herd.
1. Measure temperature and relative humidity and monitor THI. Take advantage of Cargill’s THI meters on offer this summer (see below).
2. Identify when your cows are experiencing heat stress.
3. Use nutritional solutions. Specific feed additives like Equaliser® CoolCow can mitigate the effects of heat stress on milk production and fertility. Use these to reduce mineral losses associated with heat stress, support rumen function and help her maintain feed and water intake. And start early – two weeks ahead of the likely ‘risk’ period.
4. Take practical steps in housing and grazing management. Ensure sufficient ventilation, fresh feed and clean water is available 24/7. Provide shelter for grazing cows, or access to buildings.
Summer offer – Heat stress detectors on offer (while stocks last)
Cargill is offering free THI meters to dairy producers who want to be a part of #CargillWeatherWatcher team. Just tweet @ProvimiRuminant to receive your THI meter, read more at https://www.provimi.eu/uk-coolcow
These meters can be placed in the shed or in a convenient corner of the yard. They will monitor temperature and humidity and display the latest THI
Add Equaliser CoolCow to your rations - Don’t let the heat get the better of your herd’s performance this summer
When does heat stress kick in?
Heat stress in cows occurs from a combination of humidity and high temperatures. It is a far more common occurrence than you think. And cows have a limited capacity to control their body temperature.
It doesn’t take a prolonged hot summer like that of 2018 for cows to suffer from heat stress. Cows can be affected by high humidity and high temperatures. An ambient temperature of 22°C with a relative humidity of 60% will trigger heat stress in dairy cows.
High yielding cows are more susceptible to heat stress. They produce more heat, as part of their milk production process, but their ability to lose heat through evaporation and radiation has not increased significantly. A cow producing 45 litres of milk a day will produce 26% more heat internally than a cow producing 32 litres a day.
Is she feeling the heat? Heat stress symptoms
Cows suffering from heat stress won’t follow their normal routine. Like us, appetite will be suppressed, and feed intake will be lower. This affects production, health and fertility.
Heat stress carries a price tag for producers. Typically, feed intake and milk yield will fall, and fertility can be affected. The impact of heat stress will depend on the intensity of the heat and/or humidity, and the hours each day that the cow is subject to these conditions.
The effects of heat stress on a cow can also affect the performance of her offspring.
Trials carried out in Spain show that calves born from cows cooled during their dry period – before calving – consistently produced more milk throughout their first lactation than calves born from cows that were subject to heat stress (Monterio et al 2016). There was a difference of more than 5kg of milk per day.
Managing heat stress in cows
There are four key steps producers can address to combat the negative effects of heat stress in their dairy herd.
1. Measure temperature and relative humidity and monitor THI. Take advantage of Cargill’s THI meters on offer this summer (see below).
2. Identify when your cows are experiencing heat stress.
3. Use nutritional solutions. Specific feed additives like Equaliser® CoolCow can mitigate the effects of heat stress on milk production and fertility. Use these to reduce mineral losses associated with heat stress, support rumen function and help her maintain feed and water intake. And start early – two weeks ahead of the likely ‘risk’ period.
4. Take practical steps in housing and grazing management. Ensure sufficient ventilation, fresh feed and clean water is available 24/7. Provide shelter for grazing cows, or access to buildings.
Summer offer – Heat stress detectors on offer (while stocks last)
Cargill is offering free THI meters to dairy producers who want to be a part of #CargillWeatherWatcher team. Just tweet @ProvimiRuminant to receive your THI meter, read more at https://www.provimi.eu/uk-coolcow
These meters can be placed in the shed or in a convenient corner of the yard. They will monitor temperature and humidity and display the latest THI
