Preparation is the key to managing heat stress
Published: February 28, 2019
By: Jack Garrett, Director of Research and Technical Support, Animal Nutrition, QualiTech.
The key to managing your herd through heat stress is being ready for it. Watching the weather forecast to understand the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is the first step in managing heat stress. The color-coded chart and tips list can help you keep your cows comfortable during summer heat.
It’s important to provide fresh, cool water (70-86 degrees F.) during times of heat stress so cows can drink enough to hydrate and cool their bodies. Ruminants can drink more than double the amount of water in the summer, compared to cooler months.
While you’re checking water tanks, take a look at the shade available in outdoor areas. It is recommended to provide 6-10 feet of shade per animal. When preparing for temperature humidity index 79 or higher, monitor the cows to determine if you are providing enough shade.
Reducing movement also is critical during high heat index events. Conduct any necessary vaccination, breeding or other processing during cool morning or late evening hours to reduce animal stress.
Download the QualiTech Heat Stress Mobile App at www.qualitechco.com/ANEVIS to receive heat index warnings and management tips to help you anticipate heat stress and make your cows more comfortable.
Heat stress in dairy cows — Trial results
During summer months, reduced milk production resulting from heat stress in lactating cows is a common problem for dairy producers. But a recent study by the University of Illinois found that ANEVIS rumen-protected niacin can help with dairy cow heat stress.
STUDY FINDINGS
• Optimized milk production — 78.93 lbs for ANEVIS fed cows vs. 70.99 lbs for control cows (see chart)
• Milk fat concentration — 3.80% for ANEVIS fed cows vs. 3.48% for control cows
• Ability to maintain lower vaginal temperature during heat stress — 39.0°C with ANEVIS vs. 39.3°C for control cows.
Heat Stress Management Tips
• Provide fresh, cool water (70-86°F)
• Allow for 6-10 feet of shade per animal
• Reduce movement during high heat index
• Conduct key activities during cool morning or late evening hours to reduce animal stress.
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Qualitech
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9 de abril de 2019
Unfortunately, the most important thing was not mentioned, and it is intensive cooling for sufficient hours per day. Water availability, shade and preventing of cows movement will not liberate the high yielding cow from the high quantities of endogenous heat generates and so, will not prevent summr drops in performance. Only proper cooling can reach this goal!
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University Of The Gambia
17 de mayo de 2022
Dr. Flamenbum has lot of experience on heat stress.
My question is, did you use cycles like x min showering and z min ventilation. If so what what was the duration of the cycle?
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12 de abril de 2019
My friend Dr. Flamenbum is correct and even 6 hours of forced cooling is only alleviating the stress, it does not solve the entire problem of heat stress. Furthermore, as cows produce more milk per day they create more stress as rumen fermentation is the heat source of this issue.
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9 de abril de 2019
It's recommended as an idea temperature for lactating cows is around 25°C however it is achieved. Barn housed cows must have the right ventilation and a high roof and at the correct degree of +/- 13%. Slurry removal is critical to keep methane gas to a minimum and the barn must have plenty of fresh clean water. In South Africa we have experienced some 10 to 12% increase in milk production.
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2 de marzo de 2019
Worth reading and worth repeating to read before every summer season as it looks Bible to rescue your animals from heat stress.
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