Managing in the heat
Hot season strategies
For herds producing more than 8,000 litres or 600kg MS / cow / year
You are probably already pushing the limits in terms of the amount of grain or concentrates per cow per day, and you should avoid feeding even bigger slugs of grain in the dairy. High quality fibre is your best bet. Fat is worth considering, as is a slowly fermenting starch source such as corn. A partial mixed ration (PMR) allows a more controlled approach to adding beneficial feed supplements, and enables you to spread feeds throughout the day. Ideally, this would be in a shed which provides shade and evaporative cooling.
- Feed a high-quality fire source.
- Consider including a slowly fermenting starch source, such as corn, in the diet
- Feed a PMR between the morning and afternoon milkings (ideally under shade)
- Consider fat supplementation, keeping to a maximum of 6-7% of total diet
- Include buffers in diet at high rate
Review current practices: What could you change?
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Low Risk
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Moderate Risk
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High Risk
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In the hot season, I increase my cows’ grain/ concentrate feeding rate to try and maintain their daily energy intake.
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Yes
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To some extent
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No
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In the hot season, I incorporate a slowly fermenting starch source such as corn in the cows diet
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Yes
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To some extent
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No
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I incorporate buffers at a high rate, +/- rumen modifiers, and other additives to help my cows cope in the heat.
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Yes
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To some extent
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No
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In the hot season, I feed my cows a higher quality fibre source
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Yes
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To some extent
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No
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I mix and feed this fibre with other feeds in a partial mixed ration (PMR) via a mixer wagon
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Yes
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No
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I feed this PMR in a shed where I also sprinkle cows when hot for greater evaporative cooling
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Yes
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No
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In the hot season, I deliberately increase the fat content of the cows diet up to 6-7%
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Yes
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No
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I deliberately feed higher quality protein sources in the hot season
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Yes
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To some extent
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No
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In the hot season, I deliberately feed higher levels of potassium, sodium and magnesium
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Yes
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No
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See Further Information, for details about dietary fibre, fat, protein, essential minerals and buffer requirements in the hot season.
