In the UK, daily temperatures during spring and summer can fluctuate up to 12°C but relative humidity doesn’t fall below 60% which is seen as the heat stress ‘trigger level’ on THI scales. This means that cows are almost always under heat stress conditions.
When temperatures rise fertility is always the first performance measure to be affected. Fluctuating temperatures in spring and summer (14-22°C) cause 20% of cows to slip a cycle, costing £84 per cow affected.
Fluctuating temperatures cause cows to alter their normal daily routine, with changes to behaviour which can negatively impact on their welfare. Just like humans in the heat, cow's appetites drop, feed intake are lower, and therefore production levels are compromised.
Heat stress symptoms are not always seen but signs to look our for are:
Choosing cubicles at each end of the shed
Panting and drooling
Huddling around fans
Standing still, not laying down
Eating and drinking from troughs that are out of the sun
Solutions
Management strategies of ensuring adequate water availability, ensuring feed is fresh and pushed up plus fitting fans or ensuring adequate shade for grazed cows should be standard practice throughout the summer months. When THI levels exceed 57 Equaliser® CoolCow helps improve cow comfort and maintain feed intake, milk production and fertility.
Equaliser® CoolCow
Equaliser® CoolCow is a unique blend of internal cooling elements, buffering agents, alkalising ingredients and flavouring that provide nutritional support and helps maintain production performance throughout periods of temperature fluctuations.
If you require further information on Equaliser® CoolCow, then please speak to your local DN Sales Specialist or call Dugdale Nutrition on 01200 420234.
Information supplied by Cargill