Farming talk: Heat stress this season
Temperature and humidity both play a role in thermal stress. Using the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) enables you to determine the level of summer stress on dairy cows.
The Thermo Neutral Zone for dairy cows is 5-20°C, stress symptoms begin at a THI of 68; temperature of 24° and a relative humidity of 20 per cent. With the UK average humidity over 70 per cent, the heat stress threshold is reached at temperatures as low as 22°C.
Impact on yield
Daily exposure to a THI of 68-71 could result in 1.1kg/cow/day less milk and at THI 72-79 you can expect 2.7kg cow/day less milk (Dussert and Piron, 2012). This is a result of the impaired rumen balance, the fall in rumen pH and the increased risk of acidosis.
Impact on metabolic requirement
Heat stress causes the animal to increase heat dispersion by increasing subcutaneous blood flow, panting and drooling. This increases maintenance energy needs by an estimated 20 per cent, meaning that part of the cow’s production energy will be diverted to thermal regulation.
Most of the heat production in dairy cows is due to rumen fermentation. The cow will reduce her DMI by 10-30 per cent and be selective to what she eats; less forage, as roughages increase rumen activity and therefore heat.
Impact on fertility
Heat stress can decrease reproduction performance in three ways:
1. Oestrus intensity reduces, heat detection becomes more difficult (Gwazdauskas et al., 1981; Wolfenson et al., 1988).
2. Fertility is reduced:
– A 10-20 per cent drop in conception rates.
– Pregnancy loss at maximum THI over 69 (Garcia-Ispoerto et al., 2006).
3. Early embryo survival is compromised:
– Embryos are more likely to develop slowly and abnormally (Putney et al., 1989).
– Increased oocyte cell death further reducing opportunities for pregnancy success (Zeron et al., 2001; Al-Katanani et al., 2002)
– Heat stress is detrimental to the follicle that encloses the oocyte cell and can lead to more small and medium sized follicles and reduced dominance (Hansen, 2013).
5 Tips to counteract heat stress
1. Ensure water is always clean, fresh and readily accessible.
2. Install fans and/or sprinklers in the cow shed.
3. Supply a larger quantity of feed in the evening when it is cooler, forage digestion creates a higher internal heat.
4. Make available a shaded area.
5. Adjust and supplement the diet through buffers, bypass feeds, supplements and farm paks.
Beth Howells is NWF technical advisor
