Hot summer temperatures are hard enough on you, but have you ever stopped to consider how the heat may be affecting your dairy cows? As the farming service co-op members at Allied Cooperative in Adams, WI, explain, it pays to be prepared to help your cows deal with heat stress.

Heat Stress & Dairy Cows

Heat stress is a serious concern for anyone whose farming income relies on dairy cows. While it was previously thought that cows didn’t feel heat stress until the same time as humans, recent findings have revealed that cows can experience this condition at a Temperature Humidity Index of 68 or above, and this has a significant impact on their health. Studies have found that heat stress can cause up to a 50% decrease in milk production while simultaneously decreasing the likelihood of these cows to become pregnant. Dairy cows suffering from heat stress often reduce their feed intake and exhibit heavy breathing. In severe cases, diary cows can even die from heat stress.

What Can You Do?

The farming services experts at Allied Cooperative note that farmers need to be proactive in protecting their dairy cows from heat stress. Properly maintaining fans and sprinklers and providing access to cool, shaded areas is essential to keeping your cows from overheating. Nutritional measures should also be considered, such as using TMR stabilizers and incorporating Rally Dairy Feed into your cows’ rations. Combining these efforts with consistent feed delivery throughout the day and sufficient water space will help keep your cows healthy and ensure the continued production of milk during the summer.

With a wide range of farming services available, the team at Allied Cooperative helps its members achieve the best results from their farming efforts. To learn more about how this co-op can help with your farming needs, visit them online, or call (800) 247-5679.