Managing in the heat

Go on alert

Am I ready for the heat?

As the days get longer and temperatures start to rise, you need to gear up so you are ready to respond effectively to excessive heat load events. Temperatures may start regularly going over 25^oC as early as September in some regions. Even at this temperature cows start to feel the heat. Use the checklist below to check that your infrastructure is ready to start cooling cows and that your summer management program is in place.

Shade & infrastructure checklist
Natural shade:		Yes or No?
	All fence lines protecting trees are intact
	All water troughs in paddocks and along laneways are working properly
Portable shade shelters:		Yes or No?
	Roofing material on shelters is in place and in good condition
	Shelters are in position and ready to use as soon as needed
Permanent shade shed:		Yes or No?
	All water and feed troughs are working properly
Sprinkler system in a shade shed and/or at the dairy yard:		Yes or No?
	All sprinkler nozzles are present and working properly
	Timers, regulators, pipes, filters and other components of the system are also all functioning correctly
	Fans (if any) are working properly

Hot season management program checklist
Nutrition management		Yes or No?
	Summer nutrition plan has been developed in consultation with nutritionist
	Feed purchased or ordered to ensure supply
Mating Management		Yes or No?
	The heat detection system is ready and able to maximise submission rates
	AI practices have been reviewed using InCalf AI practices tool
	Bull management practices have been reviewed using InCalf Bull management practices tool
	A heifer mating strategy is in place
Herd Management		Yes or No?
	Milking times have been adjusted as necessary
	Possible paddock rotation strategies identified (including use of sacrifice paddock or feed pad with access to shade, sprinklers, and forage or PMR between morning and afternoon milking)