The heat and humidity of summer can combine to make a very uncomfortable environment for dairy cows and be a concern for dairy producers.
Heat stress in cattle is brought on by a combination of high temperature and high humidity. The optimal outside temperature for dairy cattle is between 23ºF ( -5º C) and 65ºF (18ºC). Effects of heat stress can include:
To cool down, cows will raise their respiration rate and start panting, which leads to increased salivation. That, in turn, reduces buffer capacity and increases the risk of ruminal acidosis. Additionally, cows suffering from heat stress spend two to three hours per day less lying down. This increases the chance of claw disorders. Good claw health is necessary for optimal cow flow to the milking robot.
Below are a few considerations in reducing heat stress. These measures do not only apply to lactating cows, but to dried-off cows and heifers as well.