If you are in the cool season at the moment
If you are in the cool season at the moment, the first step is to review your farm as a whole, looking particularly at existing infrastructure, such as shade and sprinklers. Remember, you are aiming to:
- Protect cow from direct sunlight (solar radiation) by providing shade.
- Enhance evaporative cooling through the use of sprinklers and possibly also fans.
Once you have sorted out these aspects, consider how you will manage milking times, drinking water access, paddock rotation, herd nutrition and mating during the hot season.
Seek professional advice to assess the impact of withholding service over the hottest months on herd profitability.
See Cool season preparation for more information.
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If you are in the hot season at the moment
If you are in the hot season at the moment, you need to consider:
- changes to milking times;
- access to cool drinking water;
- changes to paddock rotation;
- developing a summer herd nutrition program;
and
- altering mating management.
See Hot season strategies for more information.
As the heat intensifies, you need to monitor how your cows are coping and the weather. Count your cows’ breathing rate and use the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). These tools should enable you to sidestep the problems associated with meltdown events, ramping your responses up or down as required.
- cow breaths; and
- Temperature Humidity Index (THI).
See Go on alert for more information.
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