Managing in the heat
Go on alert
How are my cows coping?
The most useful and practical way to determine how your cows are actually coping with the prevailing conditions and managing their heat load is to check their breathing rate.
An increased breathing rate is the first defence the cow employs to dissipate heat. It is the first outward sign of heat stress and often precedes elevated core body temperature. This easy-to-do check of your cows’ breathing rate is your real-time indicator of cow heat load.
- Enter a calendar reminder for a ‘Go on alert’ date - this is the trigger for you to start counting your cows’ breathing rate regularly.
- One hot days or after an extended period of hot weather, check cows twice daily.
- Check using a watch and count the number of breaths in at least 20 cows by observing flank movements over a 20-second interval and then multiply by 3.
- Check your best producing cows first - they will be the first to feel the effects because of the extra heat developed in their gut and the higher tissue metabolic rate from the demands of higher production.
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Rate
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Comment
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40 - 60 breaths per minute
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A breathing rate in this range is normal for cows.
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60 breaths per minute
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This rate corresponds to a core body temperature of about 39oC. At this point, you need to take action.
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70+ breaths per minute
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At this rate cows are starting to struggle. If in the 80s, heat stress is severe. If more than 90 - 100, cows may die.
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Remember, if your cows are at
more than 60 breaths per minute, take action!
