Heat Stress Is A “Profit Robber” For Dairymen

It is not a question of “if” we will have days in Northwest Iowa that cause heat stress in milking herds, but rather, how many days we will have. Heat stress decreases feed intake and milk production, decreases milk components including fat, lowers breeding efficiency and compromises the immune system plus the heat and humidity is a near perfect environment for mastitis pathogens to thrive.

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Now Is The Time To Review Your Calf Care Protocols

When we think of temperature stress on calves, the common concern is cold, but as temperatures are moving to the 900F mark this week, producers need to remember soaring summer temperatures, hot sun, and high humidity can cause heat stress in calves and heifers just as in the milking herd. Reduced feed intake and increased maintenance energy needs coupled with lowered immunity can lead to poor growth, higher susceptibility to disease, and in extreme cases death.

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