Cows, stressful situations due to heat and AHV Benefits

How is the summer sun and humidity affecting your herd? What are stressful situations caused by heat?

The ruminating process costs energy and generates heat, so cows eat less during the summer period. At warm body temperatures, the cow is more concerned with maintaining a normal body temperature. High temperatures and high humidity in spring and summer are going to drastically change the weather conditions making the cow more susceptible for stressful situations. The heat and humidity are already taking a toll on the cow and her ability to maintain her energy levels to protect her overall health.

What is the impact on your cows?

The roughage intake of a cow decreases during warmer periods, in order not to overheat. Reduced feed intake and increased respiration during warm periods reduce ruminal activity, resulting in lower saliva production and lower availability of the buffering bicarbonate. The drop in buffering can cause acidosis in cows which in turn creates a higher risk of health challenges (old and new ones). Cows already naturally produce bicarbonate and through their saliva keep the acidity (pH) of the rumen as stable as possible. Through rumination, a cow produces 2 kg of bicarbonate in its saliva every day. Therefore, ruminative activity is essential for supporting the animal throughout the entire period. If more acid is formed in the rumen than can be absorbed through the rumen wall, the cow’s comfort may be impacted negatively. Highly productive animals in particular are impacted the most.

The effect of the heat is not always immediately visible and can sometimes last up to ten days. It is therefore important to act proactively during a warm period. For the cow, the ideal ambient temperature is between -5 and 18 degrees Celsius. The heat can already have an impact on the cow at a temperature of 20 degrees and an air humidity of between 60 and 80 % (see image below). With lower humidity, the chance of situations where stress can be expected is less. In an environment that is too warm, the cow has to spend extra energy on keeping her body temperature constant. Although the impact on the cow is not immediately visible, she certainly experiences it to some degree.

How can AHV solutions support your cows?

The AHV Booster Bolus supports the rumen and liver so that the cow can get more energy out of the feed she eats, and it stimulates rumination. Rumination is key for saliva production, so it can support normal rumen pH and therefore normal rumen function. The Booster Bolus works with the cow for roughly 60 days providing longer term support. When the rumen health is looked after along with feeding, the additional energy can then be focused elsewhere in the body. Our blend of carefully selected ingredients provide digestive support as well as prebiotic function for the cows.

Interested? Talk to your local Territory Manager today about AHV Booster Products and looking after the well-being of your herd! www.ahv.co.nz, newzealand@ahvint.com, 0800 4 AHV NZ (248 69)