Australian Dairy Farmers Embrace Innovative Strategies to Combat Heat Stress in Livestock
Source: The DairyNews
As Australia faces rising temperatures and extreme weather events, dairy farmers are taking proactive measures to safeguard livestock from heat stress. Ongoing research is delving into genetic and production variations within dairy herds to identify ways to enhance heat tolerance and mitigate the impact of severe weather conditions.
Agriculture Victoria veterinarian, Dr Dianne Phillips, emphasizes the importance of providing suitable shelter for livestock, especially during storms and hot sun exposure. Infrastructure that allows livestock to seek refuge from adverse weather conditions is recommended to prevent potential losses during severe events.
Heat stress management programs are becoming crucial for dairy farmers, with documented reductions in milk yield, feed intake, and fertility in heat-stressed herds. Richard Smith, an AgVic dairy extension officer, highlights the significance of shade, sprinklers, and air movement in minimizing heat stress events. Installing shade structures over feedpads and implementing heat stress management strategies can significantly improve overall herd well-being.
Ellinbank Research Farm and DataGene are actively involved in research projects examining the effects of extreme weather on cow production, including heat stress. DataGene has introduced a heat tolerance value, allowing farmers to identify genotypes for heat tolerance and make informed breeding decisions.
Dairy Australia provides valuable resources for identifying signs of distress in cows during hot weather and offers guidelines on effective management practices. Recognizing that cows actively manage their core body temperature in specific temperature ranges, farmers are encouraged to implement measures such as shade structures, sprinklers, and orienting paddocks for maximum shade.
In addition to these strategies, considering upgrades to dairy holding yards, incorporating shade structures and fans, and ensuring an adequate supply of food and water nearby are recommended practices. Altering milking schedules to avoid peak heat times, pre-wetting dairy holding yards, and promoting water availability are crucial steps in minimizing heat stress impact on dairy cows.
The proactive approach by Australian dairy farmers, coupled with ongoing research initiatives, aims to enhance heat tolerance in livestock and build resilience against the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events.
Heat stress management programs are becoming crucial for dairy farmers, with documented reductions in milk yield, feed intake, and fertility in heat-stressed herds. Richard Smith, an AgVic dairy extension officer, highlights the significance of shade, sprinklers, and air movement in minimizing heat stress events. Installing shade structures over feedpads and implementing heat stress management strategies can significantly improve overall herd well-being.
Ellinbank Research Farm and DataGene are actively involved in research projects examining the effects of extreme weather on cow production, including heat stress. DataGene has introduced a heat tolerance value, allowing farmers to identify genotypes for heat tolerance and make informed breeding decisions.
Dairy Australia provides valuable resources for identifying signs of distress in cows during hot weather and offers guidelines on effective management practices. Recognizing that cows actively manage their core body temperature in specific temperature ranges, farmers are encouraged to implement measures such as shade structures, sprinklers, and orienting paddocks for maximum shade.
In addition to these strategies, considering upgrades to dairy holding yards, incorporating shade structures and fans, and ensuring an adequate supply of food and water nearby are recommended practices. Altering milking schedules to avoid peak heat times, pre-wetting dairy holding yards, and promoting water availability are crucial steps in minimizing heat stress impact on dairy cows.
The proactive approach by Australian dairy farmers, coupled with ongoing research initiatives, aims to enhance heat tolerance in livestock and build resilience against the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events.
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