Dairy farmers can be a step ahead of heat stress this summer with the launch of Cool Cows, a booklet and series of web-based tools released this month by Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program.
Cool Cows provides information for dairy farmers and their advisers to keep cows cool and reduce the effects of heat stress which include a drop in milk production, reduced herd fertility and lower milk protein and fat tests.
It can also trigger live weight losses and create animal health problems.
Many people are surprised to hear it doesn’t take really high temperatures to trigger heat stress in dairy cows. They start to feel uncomfortable once temperatures hit 25 deg C, which means heat stress is an issue in all Australian dairying regions, according to Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program leader Dr Steve Little.
"Heat stress is not just about daily maximum temperature," Dr Little said.
"The length or severity of hot conditions and humidity also contribute to the effect."
The good news is that heat stress can be effectively managed on farm and the benefits are clearly visible.
"Providing ways for cows to stay cool will result in substantial benefits in terms of improved production, better farm profitability and more contented cows."
Cool Cows is full of suggestions to help cows cope in hot weather: ideas to provide shade and evaporative cooling, hot season strategies and ways to monitor how a herd is coping with the heat.
* Dairy farmers who do not receive a copy can call Dairy Australia’s memberline and a booklet will be posted out ph 1800 004 377.