Heat stress during summer
When temperatures rise, the pressure on your dairy cattle increases. Heat stress is more than just discomfort; it has direct and often long-lasting consequences for the health, fertility, and production of cows. Reduced feed intake, hormonal imbalances, poorer resistance, and fertility problems are just some of the risks.
Without timely and targeted measures, heat stress can seriously affect the (long term) performance of your herd and your business results.
Reduced feed intake and energy deficiency
When a cow suffers from heat stress a decrease in feed intake can be observed, even though she needs extra energy and protein. Energy and protein intake are particularly important to ensure that she continues to eat well and can use the energy from her ration to maintain various bodily processes. Since cows eat less during periods of heat stress, it is crucial to provide extra energy. This must be done before it is too late, to prevent the energy dip before it occurs.
AHV’s Solution
Booster Tablet
Booster Powder
Benefits
Promotes liver and rumen metabolism
Stimulates appetite, increases feed efficiency
More milk, improved production, fewer health issues
When to use?
1 day prior to warm weather – Booster Tablet
Administer to all high-risk animals (e.g. fresh cows, high productive cows, dry cows).
During warm weather – Booster Powder
Administer the powder as a topdress on top of the feed (100g/animal/twice daily).
Repeat if needed.
Science & Validation
Backed by Science, Trusted in the Field
Effect of Booster Bolus on postpartum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels in dairy cows
University of Minnesota, 2023.
A study was done on two dairy farms to see the effect of Booster Bolus around calving. The bolus was given to 165 cows before around freshening. The control group consisted of 160 cows.
The goal was to see if Booster reduces the risk of (sub)clinical ketosis based on BHB levels in the blood. High BHB levels can mean cows are not healthy after calving. Blood was tested one week after calving. Cows that got the Booster Bolus prior to calving had lower BHB levels (0.70 mmol/L) than those that didn’t (0.77 mmol/L). And showed a significant reduction in ketosis of 34%.
Further field trials across France, UK and Ireland including 13 farms and 348 cows showed that cows receiving Booster Tablet:
- Produced more during the first 100 days in lactation
- Spent more time ruminating
- Had improved fertility
Summer Support Video
5 tips for heat stress
- Ensure good ventilation in the barn
Cows can already experience heat stress at temperatures above 20°C (68°F). Provide sufficient natural ventilation and consider using fans. Proper air exchange lowers the temperature, improves air quality, and reduces stress behaviors in cows.
- Provide fresh drinking water and shade
When cows are outside, shade is important to prevent overheating. Also, ensure there are enough water points that are regularly checked. Warm, dirty, or limited water access can quickly lead to dehydration and reduced milk production. This applies to both cows and calves. Besides milk, provide calves with sufficient fresh drinking water.
- Adjust feeding times to cooler parts of the day
Preferably feed early in the morning and/or in the evening when it is cooler. This encourages feed intake because cows tend to eat less in the heat. Reduced energy intake can quickly impact health and production.
- Feed your cows twice a day
Feed cows twice a day instead of once. This way, cows get fresh feed twice daily, which improves palatability and stimulates feed intake.
- Pay extra attention to pregnant cows
Late-pregnant cows have a harder time coping with heat. Reduce their exertion, provide rest, and ensure they don’t have to stand in direct sunlight. Heat stress at the end of pregnancy can lead to complications during calving or lower birth weights in calves.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about heat stress? Would you like to know when it poses a risk to cows and in what stages of the life cycle you need to pay extra attention? Read our FAQ here!
What are the consequences of heat stress in dairy cattle?
When temperatures rise, the pressure on your dairy cattle increases. Heat stress is more than just discomfort; it has direct and often long-lasting consequences for the health, fertility, and production of cows. Reduced feed intake, hormonal imbalances, poorer resistance, and fertility problems are just some of the risks.
Fresh, dry cows and calves are particularly vulnerable. Udder health also comes under pressure: heat stress reduces the cow’s resistance, giving harmful bacteria more opportunity to thrive, resulting in an increased risk of mastitis and other infections.
Without timely and targeted measures, heat stress can seriously affect the performance of your herd and your business results. At AHV, we are happy to help you get through the summer! We help you proactively tackle heat stress with knowledge, practical tips, and customized support.
What effect does heat stress have on fresh cows?
This can result in an extremely negative energy balance, particularly in fresh cows. The energy deficit causes the egg cells to develop less well and cysts to form, due to factors such as reduced hormone expression. The body temperature rises, the heat interval decreases, and heat is less clearly indicated. The uterine wall becomes acidic, reducing implantation. Heat stress can reduce the fertilization rate (normally around 90%) to 55% and early embryonic mortality is higher.
What are the risks for calves?
Heat stress causes an energy deficit due to reduced feed intake. At the same time, however, energy requirements increase by 20 to 30 percent because the calf wants to get rid of its heat. There is also fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration. The result of heat stress in calves can ultimately be reduced or stagnant growth, which in turn affects the ALVA.
In addition, the immune system functions less effectively and the calf is more susceptible to infections. We observed a strong association between high outside temperatures and calf mortality on Dutch dairy farms. It is therefore advisable to take precautions at temperatures above 18 degrees Celsius.
How is udder health affected by heat stress?
Because cows with heat stress stand more often and for longer periods of time to release heat to the environment, their hooves are subjected to additional stress, which leads to hoof problems. The warm weather puts pressure on the cow’s immune system. Heat stress creates an unfavorable environment for the cows in the barn and increases the risk of udder health problems.
A negative energy balance affects the cow’s immune system, as neutrophils, an important immune cell in preventing (udder) infections, are less able to do their job.
The activity of the immune cells decreases, increasing the risk of disease and infection.
Is heat harmful to dry cows?
Extra attention for dry cows during hot periods
Hot periods are a challenge for every cow, but this is certainly true for dry cows. A relatively short period of high temperatures at the end of gestation can have a major impact on the health of both the cow and the calf. It is crucial to prevent negative effects on the calf.
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