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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere\nare five heat stress management steps you can implement in your dairy\noperation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Ensure Cows Have Adequate Access to Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ensuring\nthat cows have easy access to water is the top priority in mitigating heat\nstress. When cows are suffering from heat stress water, intake increases by 20\nto 200 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To\noptimize cows\u2019 water consumption, you should provide direct access to clean\nwater as cows enter and exit the milking parlor, when they are in the holding\narea and within 50 feet (15 meters) of the feed bunk. There should be at least\ntwo functioning waters available per pen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below\nare some additional ways to optimize cows\u2019 water consumption: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Ensure adequate flow rate to maintain a minimum\nwater depth of 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in the trough. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Provide available trough space of 3.5 linear\ninches (9 linear centimeters) per cow. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Monitor stray voltage in water troughs and in\nthe areas around them. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure flow rates are adequate to meet peak\ndemand. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep waterers clean. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check milk quality characteristics at least 1\nor 2 times a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Install Soakers in Holding Area, Feed Bunk and Pens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keeping\ncows properly cooled in the holding areas can help them be more productive as\nwell as prevent heat stress. Research shows that cows that are properly cooled\ncan produce an additional 1.7 to 5 pounds (0.8 to 2.3 kg) of milk per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s\nimportant that the water droplets are large enough to soak into the cow\u2019s hide\nas droplets that are too small merely create an insulating layer on the surface\nof the hair, leading them to become even hotter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soakers\nshould be set to activate at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).\nSoaking frequency should be increased as the temperature increases. In humid\nenvironments, the thermostat should be set to begin soaking sooner and more\nfrequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nsystem should be sized to provide 0.34 gallons (1.3 liters) of water per cow,\nper soaker cycle. Sprinklers should wet the back and then stop to allow the\nwater to evaporate prior to another cycle beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Provide Recirculation Fans and Adequate Ventilation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Installing\nfans improves air movement but does not improve ventilation. Fans should be\npositioned in the holding area, over the stalls and over the feed bunk, but it\nis not uncommon to see fans used over the stalls and not over the feed bunk in\nmany free stall pens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fans\nshould be run continuously at 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) to\nprovide 5-8 mph (8-13 kph) airspeed over the cow stalls and feed alley, aligned\nto flow in the direction of prevailing winds. Appropriately space the fans and\nangle the air flow down toward the cow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nuse of soakers and fans is most effective. If you cannot use both, you should\nuse low-pressure sprinklers, which cool more efficiently than fans alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Provide Adequate Shade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n