Heat stress in dairy cattle is one of the leading causes of decreased production and fertility in Nebraska dairy cattle during summer months. These losses are apparent in the decreased amount of milk shipped, increased days open and decreased breedings per conception. Some heat stress is unavoidable, but effects can be minimized if certain management practices are followed.
Symptoms of heat stress
The ideal temperature range for dairy cattle is between 25 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, heat abatement strategies need to be engaged starting at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This could include fans and/or sprinklers in the holding area and freestall barn. Once the temperature goes above 80 degrees Fahrenheit cattle reduce feed intake, which has a negative impact on production. At 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, one can usually notice a dramatic decrease in milk production ranging from 3 to 20 percent.
Humidity also plays a significant part in heat stress. There are three temperature-humidity ranges of concern. A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 20 percent humidity is the range in which you begin serious measures to ease the stress on the cattle. Some type of cooling should be started. The danger occurs as the temperature nears 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity. The lethal range for cattle is 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent humidity.
Because cattle sweat at only 10 percent of the human rate, they are more susceptible to heat stress. This is why dairy cattle need mechanical means to reduce heat, such as body sprinkling to aid in evaporation and effective air movement systems to aid in cooling. Stale, stagnant air can reach dangerous or lethal areas in a short time. Therefore, it is essential to have rapid movement of air in any confined area. During times of heat stress feed intake is reduce by 8 to 12 percent or more. This reduction in feed intake reduces volatile fatty acid production in the rumen, resulting in decreased production.
Heat stress and ration balancing
Cattle will automatically reduce their feed intake during hot weather. Typically, early lactation cows are most swiftly and severely affected. This decreased forage intake alters the composition of the rumen and leads to acidosis, reduced fat content of milk and lameness in the cattle. Forage generates more heat than a grain ration, thereby contributing to reduced intake. One way to correct this problem is to feed your high quality forage during the summer, thus requiring less intake to maintain a balanced ration. Never, however, reduce the fiber level below 18 to 19 percent ADF and 25 to 28 percent NDF.
If cows reduce their intake during heat stress, more nutrients need to be packed into a smaller volume of feed. Remember that a cow's energy requirement for lactation is unchanged and her energy needs to remain cool actually increase. Therefore, maintaining adequate nutrient intake becomes critical to avoid undue milk production loss. The following example illustrates the need for ration reformulation when feed intake declines by 20 percent:
| Nutrient | Daily dry matter intake | |
|---|---|---|
| 50 pounds | 40 pounds | |
| Crude protein | 16 percent | 19 percent |
| Net energy (lactation) (Mcal per pound) | 0.73 | 0.83 |
Optional methods to increase dietary nutrient density include feeding high quality forage, feeding more grain and using supplemental fats. Total dietary fat should not exceed 7 percent. The inclusion of a buffer to the ration often can help alleviate some of the milk fat depression and maintain feed intake.
Minerals are also more easily depleted during hot summer months. The increase in respiration and perspiration will cause an excessive loss of water, thereby reducing mineral levels. Potassium can be increased to 1.3 to 1.5 percent of the total dietary dry matter, sodium to 0.5 percent, and magnesium levels increased to 0.3 percent. If less forage is consumed, and the forage is high in quality, the cow's rumination activity may decrease. Consequently, the proper use of buffers becomes important to maintain intake, ruminal pH, and milk production.
The producer's primary feeding goal should be to maintain intake and limit the negative effect of heat stress on milk production. During hot, humid weather, it is advisable to increase the number of times per day that one feeds. Increasing the number enables one to feed less at any one time, thereby avoiding heating and spoilage of the feed in the bunk. Flies around the feed are also reduced, thereby reducing the insect population. Additional feedings also allow the producer to observe cattle more often to see how they are being affected by the heat and humidity. Increasing the amount of feed available during the cooler period of the day, early morning or late evening, may be another alternative. Feeding 60 to 70 percent of the ration between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. has successfully increased milk production during hot weather.
Before drastically changing the ration during the hot summer months, be sure to consult your feed consultant or MU Extension specialist. Remember, cattle are under extreme stress during this period and any drastic change could be counterproductive.
Reducing the temperature
There are many ways to decrease the apparent effects of heat on dairy cattle. One important point to consider is increasing the amount of available water. Recommendations are for one waterer per 20 head. More recent recommendations suggest having four inches of water space per cow in the pen. Thus, if there is 100 cows in the pen, there should be at total of 400 linear inches of water space spread around multiple locations. This may not be enough during extreme heat stress. When the temperature reaches danger levels, add additional sources of water near the feeding area. Another way to increase water consumption is to make certain water is cool. In one experiment cattle increased their water consumption when the water was at 50 degrees Fahrenheit rather than 82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the value of extra milk produced must offset the cost of cooling the water. Never let water become stagnant. Be certain to routinely clean out waterers daily. Remember, cows will congregate where it is cool, so if the goal is to maximize intake, it makes sense to keep feed and water available in cooled areas.
Increasing air flow is another important component. Be certain air moves freely in all sections of the barn. There are two main ways to increase air flow. One is to install fans so that air movement is increased and the second is to open the sides of the barn. In many cases walls of the barn may be made partially of concrete. In this situation, opening the lower level of the barn to increase air flow is not an option, so the addition of fans is essential. In barns where sheet metal is used for the walls, it may be practical to remove the sides and install netting over these areas. The netting can be raised to increase air flow during the summer and lowered during the winter. Increasing the roof venting is another option.
If cattle are outside during the summer, provide shade for them so they can get out of direct sunlight during peak hours. Trees, if available, are excellent, but if no natural shade is available, constructing a netted area is a good alternative. Providing shade over the feeding area will also increase feed intake.
Sprinklers are another addition that can reduce heat stress. There are several items to consider when installing them. Be certain sprinklers are over a clean, preferably concreted, area, so animals do not lay down on mud or other areas causing an increase in mastitis. Do not leave sprinklers on continuously so that udders drip with water. Put them on a timer and observe your cattle — if water is dripping from the udder, then reduce the time sprinklers are on. If sprinklers are placed near the feed bunk, be certain the feed does not become wet — wet feed will mold faster during hot weather.
At the University of Nebraska, research was conducted to study the feeding frequency of cattle from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with and without supplemental cooling. Results showed cattle shaded and cooled by sprinklers near the feed bunks ate between 63 to 100 percent of the time as compared to uncooled cattle. Therefore, offering a cool, shaded area for feeding during daylight hours will increase feed intake, thereby helping to maintain production.
When hot weather sets in, be prepared to:
- Modify the diet to maintain feed intake.
- Increase the amount of water available to your herd.
- Provide shade.
- Provide for a good air exchange in the barn and install sprinklers to help cool the cattle.
This guide was adapted for use in Missouri by James N. Spain, Jennifer L. Garrett and Barry Steevens, Department of Animal Sciences.