Nutritional Management and Feeding Strategies for Lactating Dairy Cows Under Heat Stress

Published on: 07/09/2013

Author/s : Umesh Sontakke and K.S. Bisitha (Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana

IntroductionThe seasonal effects of heat stress have tremendous impact on dairying in India. Adjustments in nutrition and feeding management can alleviate some of the negative effect on health and performance, but compared with environmental modification, manipulation of the cow’s diet specifically for heat stress, has little effect on productivity. Normal physiological processes require tha...

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Subodh Kumar
Agriculturist

July 11, 2013

Sir,
Heat stress is a problem with only non native breeds of cows. Over thousands of years in India cow breeds have evolved to suit the local climate. By and large the native breeds do not have much heat stress problem.
It is our experience that with Indian breeds given good green fodder, meeting water requirements fully and by taking good care of cow comforts, there is little variation in milk production throughout the year.Vedas call a cow ?????????- one that give same milk production throughout. The summer shortage of milk is result of dependence for milk mainly on cross bred cows and buffaloes.
Milk productivity is totally dependant on good breeding soundness bulls, maximum green fodder full good drinking water availability and good cow care

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Hassan Khan
Mr. Hassan Khan

July 11, 2013

GMilk productivity is totally dependant on good breeding soundness bulls, maximum green fodder full good drinking water availability and good cow care

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Sunildatta Vinayak Lad
Mechanical Engineer

August 13, 2013

is heat stress observed to the non native cows though born bought up in india.
Secondly I have a fundamental question whether heat stress will be same for a same THI in India And european countries

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Wm F. Tooley
Consultant

August 13, 2013

Excellent Article with very practical conclusions. "The most effective feeding management strategy to minimize production losses during heat stress periods is to provide a cool, comfortable environment by shading, sprinkling and/or forced air flow." There is one more comfort element that is often overlooked. It is essential and perhaps easier to provide than all the others - humidity reduction! Unlike humans, Cows accomplish most of their temperature control by condensation of hot humid air out of their lungs. That is why cows pant when it is hot. The cows lung has a skin surface the size of a football field. Much more skin than covers her body. She needs dry air to expire heat from her lungs. We assist her by condensing water out of the air onto the wet floor of a modern flushed barn. If you are interested, to view such a facility search for "Oak Lane 8 Row" and please feel free to contact me to discuss how this can be done in any climate.
Best regards, Wm F. Tooley, Platte SD USA

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prakash kulkarni
B. V,Sc & A .H .

October 15, 2015

for reducing the heat stress of buffaloes best way is to sprinkle water over her body, .provision of good ventilation, feeding of green fodder , quality mineral mixture will help to reduce heat stress

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