Our advice for heat stress

Dairy cows & dry cows 

Did you know that a low somatic cell count in winter/spring helps avoid exceeding the maximum tank somatic cell count during heat stress? 

Keep an eye on the forecast, be prepared for warmer periods: 

• Check the performance of your barn ventilation: Install fans in the barn to improve the barn climate. Especially above the feed fence, fans are a great solution, especially if there is extreme heat. Don't forget to properly ventilate dry cows and the waiting area! 
• Add a heating inhibitor and possibly a buffer and/or live yeast in the ration 
• Get your cows used to changes in your feed management in advance 
• Provide sufficient and clean drinking water and places at all times 
• Make sure all animals have a place to eat (>85cm per animal place) 

Calves 

Did you know that shearing can not only prevent heat stress but also help with fly control? 

Keep an eye on the forecast, be prepared for warmer periods: 

• Ensure adequate and clean drinking water at all times. 
• Shave calves' backs if necessary to prevent sweating. 
• Make sure you stock a suitable electrolyte product if, for example, Sprayfo Osmofit 

Dairy cows 

Did you know that heat stress can already occur at 21⁰C? This may be due to the relatively high humidity. Cows also have a much lower comfort zone than humans, partly due to the heat production of the rumen and the high metabolism caused by milk production.  

• Clean the cubicles more often due to increased infection pressure 
• Use a heating inhibitor, e.g. Selko-TMR 
• Feed more glucogenic energy, such as maize meal or from Gluconomic /Proketo 
• Reduce the proportion of fast carbohydrates in the ration and compensate with quieter fermentable carbohydrates  
• Lower the OEB in the ration for lower liver load and heat production  
• Optionally feed a rumen buffer such as with a live yeast and/or sodium bicarbonate to prevent rumen acidification 
• Give cows at high risk of udder health problems the FOS Cellow bolus  

Dry cows 

Did you know that heat stress during dry heat has an effect not only on the cow, but also on the calf? calves from cows that experience heat stress absorb significantly less antibodies from colostrum 

• Increase feed frequency 
• Use a heating inhibitor, e.g. Selko-TMR 
• Clean the barn more often due to increased infection pressure 

Calves 

Did you know that the comfort temperature of a calf is between 15°C and 25°C? 

• Clean the barn more often due to increased infection pressure and fly control 
• Check your calves more often for dehydration 

Dairy cows 

Did you know that in high-producing cows (50 kg milk/day), heat stress can lead to a drop in daily production by as much as 6 kg of milk? 

• Feed twice daily in the cool morning and early evening to keep feed scalding-free and palatable. 
• Add a double dose of heating inhibitor to the ration, e.g. Selko-TMR 
• Cows outside at night, inside during the day 
• Provide a good structure supply to maintain rumination activity, this is important as roughage intake decreases. 
• Increase energy density (VEM/kg ds) by increasing the concentrate content from 40% to 45% (only with calm fermentable CDR) 
• Clean the cubicles more often due to increased infection pressure 
• Feed more glucogenic energy, e.g. from Glucolac 40 
• Reduce the share of fast carbohydrates in the ration 
• Lower the OEB in the ration for lower liver load and heat production  
• Feed a rumen buffer such as live yeast and/or sodium bicarbonate to prevent rumen acidification 

Dry cows 

Did you know that severe heat stress during dry-off can lead to an 8.5 kg reduction in daily production in the following lactation? 

• Increase feeding frequency to at least once a day 
• Add a double dose of heating inhibitor to the ration, e.g. Selko-TMR 

Calves 

Did you know that heat stress can reduce growth in calves? 

• Keep your calves out of the sun and provide adequate shade and ventilation 
• Check your calves more often for dehydration  
• Do not top up the water, but throw away the remainder, clean the bucket and refill it with clean water. 
• Provide rest at the hottest times of the day, shift feeding times and mucking out activities to the beginning or end of the day