In conditions of high humidity, dairy cows may experience heat stress even at temperatures slightly higher than 20 degrees Celsius. That is why it is so important to be aware of the consequences of this phenomenon and take actions to minimize its effects.
Costly acidosis
Metabolic problems are common consequences of heat stress, and ruminal acidosis predominates in this group. In hot weather, cattle increase feed sorting because the fermentation of fibrous elements in the rumen generates more heat than easily fermentable particles. As a consequence, excessive acidification of the rumen content occurs. In addition, less intake of fibrous elements results in less production of saliva, which has a buffering effect. Its quantity is also limited by the soil.
Symptoms of acidosis include a decrease in fat content in milk and diarrhea with a characteristic grayish or yellowish color of feces.
This is not only one of the most common consequences of heat stress, but also one of the most expensive. Therefore, it is worth focusing on prevention, which includes, among others: ensuring that the dose structure is as uniform as possible, feeding and pushing feed more frequently, increasing the amount of feed given in the evening when it is cooler, using buffers, and reducing the risk of heat stress through ventilation and cooling. In addition, animals should be provided with adequate access to the feed table (at least 70 cm per cow) and constant access to water, which is particularly important in the summer.
