Writing about the effects of 90 or more wildfires in the western U.S. during 2022, Corey Geiger reminds us how smoke and fine particulate matter stress cows and calves.
Mature cows are impacted immediately which is seen in reduced milk production. Calves however may be affected for their production lives.
. . . the preweaning period is critical in future performance . . . compromised respiratory health in the prewean period has negative impacts on weight gain and lactation performance in later life. . .” – Amy Skibiel, PhD
Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 23, 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: Dairy producers and their veterinary teams need to be aware of potential issues with replacement stock coming from western wildfire states.
Also see: Half of U.S. states can’t meet fluid milk needs, Hoard’s Dairyman, March 9, 2023. Link. 26 states fall short of producing enough milk to fill beverage milk demand. Those states each produce less than 300 pounds of milk per person, which is the threshold for meeting fluid and soft dairy product needs.