Friday, March 29, 2024

DairyNZ warns of heat stress risk

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Prolonged dry periods may not be a concern for farmers this year, but heat stress could still be an issue.
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“We can still get some hot days even though we are not getting a drought and conditions that could possibly cause heat stress are still quite likely in Waikato, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty and Northland,” DairyNZ team leader for animal husbandry and welfare Anita Harding said.

The industry good body had advice for farmers in all areas on how to protect cows from this.

DairyNZ advised farmers to delay afternoon milking until after 4pm when the temperature was high.

  • Plan grazing rotations so that close paddocks and paddocks with shade could be reserved for hot days.
  • Bury reticulation pipes as water can get as hot as 50°C in a black pipe in direct sunlight. Keeping water temperature down will help improve the cooling effects of drinking water for cows on hot days.
  • Install sprinklers over the yard.
  • Put sprinklers on a 15 minute on/off cycle to maximise wetting, while minimising water wastage.
  • Wet down the yard’s concrete for 30-60 minutes before bringing cows in. This will also cool down the dairy and yard area for milking.
  • Feed out after the afternoon milking or early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler and cows’ appetites are not suppressed.
  • Offer highest quality pasture breaks at night for the same reason.
  • Watch your highest producers for indications of heat stress because they tend to be more affected by heat, due to greater metabolic heat production.

There are warning signs that cows have heat stress.

These include crowding around the drinking trough or shaded areas, not lying down as much as normal, reduced feed intakes, slowed rumination and increased breathing rates.

Take action when you start to see these signs in your herd and also when weather forecasts predict high temperatures.

Score paddocks for heat risk. The system described by Australian Cool Cows can be used.

Cows are at risk when temperatures exceed 24°C with relative humidity of 75% or higher.

Heat stress not only affects cows’ comfort and wellbeing but could also reduce feed intake, milk production and conception rates.

 

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