The direct factors causing heat stress in cattle, dairy cows are high temperature and humidity. These two elements, create a peculiar “microclimate” in the barn, which contributes to decreases in productivity and an increase in health disorders in cows.
Under such conditions, the animal has very great difficulty in dissipating excess heat from the body.
In addition, the mucous membrane dries up, making the body significantly more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. If we add to this a decrease in the level of feed intake and the passivity of the farmer, the road to reduced profits from dairy farming turns into a highway.
5 quick ways to combat heat stress in cattle:
Remember the water
There are several ways to combat heat stress in cows. The main one is to ensure constant access to clean water. It’s also a good idea to add electrolytes to the water to help rehydrate the body and replenish basic macronutrient deficiencies.
Provide ventilation
High temperatures and increased humidity are also associated with lower feed intake. It is important to encourage cows to stay at the feed table longer. Fans that are installed pointing toward the feed table will make cattle more willing to go in that direction. Spray systems are also being installed in barns, usually in the form of water curtains.
Use feed additives
The digestive capacity of cows also influences TMR intake. Feed additives such as Rumba Active can come to our aid. It is a unique combination of live yeast cultures and mannan oligosaccharides.
The formula also contains extracts of oregano, cloves, cinnamon and chili. Careful selection of individual components causes the rumen bacterial flora to stabilize and the pH to return to 6.2, improving feed intake.
Restricted rumination results in less saliva secretion, which is associated with reduced production of acidic sodium carbonate. The solution to this problem is Agro Buffer TYTAN, which, in addition to supplementing the aforementioned substance, introduces a natural buffer derived from marine algae into the ration to protect the rumen from a drop in pH.
Another preparation that will help combat heat stress is the so-called protected fat, or AgroFat. These are inert-type fatty acids, and their main feature is their inertness to rumen fermentation. This involves providing the cow with energy, without raising the temperature, which accompanies the digestive processes occurring in the rumen.
Take care of the quality of the feed you are feeding
An indispensable element that will help cows survive the warm months is also taking care of the quality of the feed given. The structure of the TMR should prevent segregation of feed at the table and influence rumen stimulation. However, let’s not be tempted to add large amounts of water to roughage to prevent TMR sorting. While this will “glue” the fed feed together, it will also make its temperature soar in hot weather.
Increase the frequency of feeding
It is also worth considering feeding more frequently, and in smaller quantities. Due to the lowering of the air temperature from the evening hours, let’s also make sure that the feed table does not shine empty at night, which will certainly reduce milk production.
The above-mentioned ways to combat heat stress are able to significantly offset the effects of high temperatures in the barn. If we add to this the vigilance of the farmer and his quick reaction, we have a good chance of coming out of this battle victorious, without incurring the costs associated with decreased productivity and health disorders of the herd.
Mieczyslaw Rodziewicz
Nutrition Advisor
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