The heat reduces milk production?
Scientists from the universities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Chicago predict that by 2025. Daily milk production can be reduced by 4 percent. It's because of the growing temperaturewhich cause so -called Thermal stress, which makes them more milk. It was calculated that over the past twelve years, extreme heat has reduced milk cows to produce milk by 10 percent. Interestingly, even one hour wet thermometer (combining air temperature and humidity) above 26 degrees C. It can reduce daily milk production by a cow by 0.5 percent. High temperatures affect reduced milk production even for 10 days from the heat.
Cows in the heat give less milk
“Elite Dobry Breeder” – a specialized, nationwide bimonthly for farmers dealing with milk cattle breeding and milk production – he wrote for two years agoThat The cows begin to feel the aforementioned thermal stress at 22 degrees C. The longer the heat lasts and the higher the temperatures, the worse it affects the production of milk. Due to heat stress, cows can lose up to 20-30 percent. milk. However, at temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C. This can lead to a loss of up to 60 percent. milk. It is therefore in the interest of farmers to cool the cows. Especially since in recent years temperatures have been breaking records. Also in Poland.
Cooling cows does nothing?
Farmers use different ways to reduce stress cows. They are provided with constant access to water, sprinklers, a place to the shade, installing fans above the place with feed, and even increases the amount of feed and changes its composition. However, scientists have found that on days when the temperature exceeded 24 degrees C. Cooling strategies were able to brake only 40 percent. influence of extreme heat on milk production. Claire Palandri, the main author of the study, called farmers to “consider a larger number of strategies not only cooling cow, but also to reduce stressful factors such as closing and separating calves.” Stressing factors make cows more sensitive to heat and less resistant.
Sources: The Guardian, “Good Breeder elite”