Archive for category Reducing Heat Stress in Dairy Cows
Reducing Heat Stress in Dairy Cows
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Water requirements to reduce heat stress in dairy cows is an important topic to address. Like most living mammals, cows do not do well when there is more heat than they can handle. It is even more urgent when they have to provide a gallon of milk and meat are healthy.
Water intake of cattle will increase with rising temperature. There should be a source of water nearby to where they eat or herded. It is also important that a source close to the color because it will help reduce heat stress in dairy cows. Higher producing cows are even more prone to suffer from heat stress so that you may have to watch them more. These cows produce more heat because of their higher feed and drinking water intake.
Water drinking cows’ should be fresh and clean, and has no contaminants. With wells and other water sources outside, you must have them tested and determined to be safe for livestock. Do not keep cattle close to the pond in your area. Ponds have water of poor quality, and can increase higher mastitis and somatic cell count on your cow. This poses a health risk to cattle.
It may be necessary to perform conformance testing for water sources that are outside your area water system. Outside sources should be tested for sodium, alkalinity, sulfate, nitrate nitrogen, electrical conductivity and hardness, for the purpose of determining whether it is suitable for drinking water source for cattle.
What is most important when there is heat stress related to cattle feeding and dairy production. Milk production may decrease by 25 percent during the great heat stress. This is accompanied by the intake of dry material from cattle feed, which also decreases when heat stress is extreme. For every pound of one of the missing matter intake, twice the amount of lost milk production, said.
Feed manger should be shaded for added comfort for the cows while they eat and eat. You can also add a system of water sprinklers and fans are directed to the cows to reduce the heat feel the place int eh. Do not spray water on feed as dry matter intake is important. Wherever possible, keep the dry cow udder to reduce the possibility of mastitis. Also make sure that the floor is still good enough for cows to walk and to prevent injuries from slipping.
Water is really a priority when the temperature rises. We can say that management and feeding of the cows is also part of the process in reducing heat stress in dairy cows. Some responses from the cow, though, can help reduce the production of heat in it, such as selective consumption of feed and cooling strategies. However, much work has come from you. Dairy cows can only do so much and you are in control of their environment.