Shielding Grazing Dairy Cows From Heat Stress: Effective Strategies For Farm Management And Cow Welfare

Summer is around the corner, and as temperatures gradually rise, it is essential to recognize the potential challenges heat stress poses on dairy cows. Grazing cows are even more exposed since direct solar radiation exacerbates their vulnerability to heat stress alongside the rising ambient temperatures they encounter. Heat stress can significantly impact dairy cattle, even in states with shorter warm weather seasons like Michigan or New York. Cows in temperate regions may not be physiologically adapted to withstand heat stress conditions. As a result, even sporadic instances of heat stress can prove challenging for these cows, leading to significant losses in production. Therefore, farmers need to be aware of the signs of heat stress, its causes, and how to identify and abate it.