Dairy cows are extremely sensitive to heat and begin experiencing heat stress at just 65°F to 68°F. We’ve already had days with higher temperatures. The author discusses the effect of heat stress and offers some tips to help heifers and cows:
- Provide forms of heat abatement that avoid direct solar radiation
- Provide 24/7 easy access to drinking water both in the barn and on pasture
- Provide evaporative cooling systems
Source: The Bullvine, May 7, 2021. Link. Keeping all cattle, including heifers, cool can provide a good return on your investment as it makes them more comfortable, thereby making the negative effects of heat stress less severe. Shade and water should be always available to all animals. In some situations, incorporating water into the heat abatement plan to facilitate evaporative cooling can be beneficial.