You may use fans and sprinklers to keep the lactating herd cool, but what are you doing to alleviate dry cow heat stress? It may be costing you more than you think.
 
According to a National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Dairy Study, 75.7 percent of all operations provide fans for the lactating herd, while just 47.7 percent provide fans for dry cows. Sprinklers are provided to the lactating herd on 25.2 percent of all operations, yet only 10.7 percent of dry cows are cooled with sprinklers.¹
 
This data shows a gap in cow comfort for the dry cow. While the lactating herd receives special treatment, dry cows are too often forgotten. And, it’s an oversight that may be hurting your bottom line.
 

Effects of dry cow heat stress

Research from the University of Florida evaluated the effects of dry cow heat stress. From dry off until calving, cows were into two categories: heat stress (shade, no fans and no sprinklers) or cooling (shade, fans and sprinklers). Upon calving, all cows moved into a free stall barn with sprinklers and fans. The study ran until cows were 30 weeks into lactation.
 
The research showed:

• Calves born from heat-stressed cows weighed on average 17 pounds less.²
• Cows that experienced heat stress had a decreased ability to kill bacteria and fight off infections.
• Cows that experienced heat stress during the dry period produced an average of 14 pounds less milk in the first 30 weeks compared to cooled cows.

This data corresponds to trends in lower milk production during the fourth quarter of the year. Cows peaking at that time are cows that were heat stressed when they were dry. Without summer cooling efforts, they’re likely producing less milk in the later part of the year.

Support dry cows in summer 

So, what can you do to minimize dry cow heat stress this summer?
 
If you have the opportunity and resources, consider adding sprinklers and fans for dry cows.
 
Dry cow nutrition can also help as heat and humidity rise. Use Purina^® Rally^® Dairy Feed early in the season to help support transition cow health and milk production throughout the year – regardless of weather. This patented technology supports intake and helps deliver the right type of energy to cows, even when during hot weather challenges.
 
Rally^® Dairy Feed research has shown: 

• Increased DMI by 3.3 lbs³
• Increased milk production by 3.6 lbs⁴
• Improved feed efficiency
• Lowered non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) postpartum³ and during lactation⁵

The bottom line? Rally^® Dairy Feed can help keep cows eating and profits sizzling all summer long. But don’t take our word for it, see what dairy farmers and university researchers have to say.