The Milk Producer - June 2011 - (Page 8)

DAIRYUPDATE Heat stresses hooves If foot problems are plaguing your herd during summer, cooling off your cows can help By John Osborne and Dan Ganesh S oaring summer temperatures and high humidity are among the many reasons why dairy cattle can pull up lame. A repeat of the 2010 heat-stress season in many parts of Canada—one of the worst in recent memory—would put extra stress on hooves. Heat stress occurs during hot, humid weather. Dairy cows cannot dissipate enough heat to prevent their body temperature from rising. They typically take in less feed and drink more water. Their respiration rate increases, resulting in more panting, sweating and urination. As a result, they lose water and body salt. The most noticeable heat stress symptom is lower milk production, often with depressed butterfat test. Cows become more difficult to breed, and they are more prone to mastitis. Lameness is often a negative byproduct of the heat, too. Taking steps to cope with the heat helps your herd maintain sound hooves as well as better overall health. Ensuring adequate, comfortable stalls encourages cows to get off their feet. Keep cows comfortable Heat-stressed cows tend to stand and congregate rather than lie down. Yet they need to lie down for at least 10 to 12 hours per day to take pressure off their hooves. Time spent standing on concrete is a major factor affecting lameness. 8 | June 2011 | MilkPRODUCER Ensure adequate, comfortable stalls. As well as enticing cows to get off their feet, stalls provide a safe, quiet environment to promote better feed digestion. Cool your cows. Use fans to provide lots of air movement, ideally combined with back-wetting from water sprinklers or misting to encourage evaporative cooling. In freestall barns, pay particular at- tention to holding and feeding areas. Don’t neglect your dry cows—the developing calf adds to the heat load. Also, provide shade when cattle venture outside the barn. With production incentive days available, you might be tempted to crowd your facilities beyond comfortable capacity. Resist the urge since this leads to more competition for feed. Limiting time at the bunk can

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - June 2011

The Milk Producer - June 2011
Contents
Editor’s Notes
DFO Chair’s Message
Dairy Update
Industry Roundup
DFC Promotion
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Rearing Replacements
Markets
New ’N’ Noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - June 2011