High temperatures lead to hidden costs among your livestock

As we get deeper into summer months, the number  of hot days is increasing. High temperatures affect all of the animals on your farm, including unborn calves. The consequences for the calf can later manifest in a milk production that is 16% lower than average.  

A relatively short period of high temperatures in late pregnancy can dramatically affect the health, growth and eventual performance of dairy calves. It is crucial to effectively combat high temperatures, and keep dry cows comfortable to avoid negative effects on the calf. The calves of a cow that has not been affected by the hot weather are on average three kilograms heavier when they are born. In addition, they have a better immunity. This is because the colostrum from a cow who did not experience heat stress contains more antibodies and is better absorbed than the colostrum from a stressed cow. Calves from these cows also appear to absorb 43% more antibodies (IgGs) from the same colostrum than calves from non-cooled cows (Monteiro et al., 2016). 

16% Increased milk production 

Optimizing the living environment during situations of warm temperature has a favorable effect on the mother and therefore also on the calf’s weight development. These calves grow on average 0.2 kg more per day until weaning and are then considerably heavier when they go off the milk. The loss to the end of the first lactation is more than twice as low. Milk production is also 16% higher than average. It has also been shown that calves from a cooled mother conceive more easily and at a younger age. It is therefore very important to provide your herd with the best possible temperature. Both for animal health and production on your dairy farm.

Cow’s appetite optimized despite hot weather

Ensuring optimal milk yield is one of the biggest challenges during situations where stress can be expected due to hot weather. Optimizing living conditions during dry-off periods can boost milk production in the next lactation by an average of 4-5 litres. The cow loses less energy pumping blood through the skin. This blood can then be used in the udder for milk production and in the organs for energy absorption. A cow’s appetite is also improved when she is in a pleasant climate.

Optimal health of the liver

Optimum feed intake means that the cow receives sufficient energy and protein. The cow better maintains milk production and lactose content. In addition, the cow does not have to compensate for energy shortages, resulting in an optimum condition.

The AHV Booster Bolus optimizes the energy balance by activating the cow’s metabolism (liver and rumen). It will help the liver to prevent fat breakdown. Graph 1 below shows the average rumination activity (rumination time, in minutes) of cows with and without a non-optimal energy balance, to x days after calving. These values have been validated based on research by Kaufman et al (2016).