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We like to call heat stress days Bovine BlueLite® days. In periods of heat stress, cows readily lose water and nutrients required for optimal body function and performance.
During BlueLite days, the combination of heat and humidity can compromise a cow’s ability to dissipate excess body heat. Cooling systems and heat abatement programs are important. But even with routine summertime diet and cooling techniques in place, a cow can experience physiological changes for which she cannot cope. As a result, nutritional strategies which support yield, but also address these physiologic challenges are needed to help the cow maintain or re-establish health and performance.
Key Heat Stress Issues that Impair Milk Production
To fully help a heat stressed cow, it is important for the dairyman to understand how her body is reacting and what nutritional requirements need to be met during this period. To help with this understanding, what follows are 4 key outcomes of a cow experiencing heat stress. Note that these are not necessarily isolated challenges, but are interrelated.
Key Heat Stress Issues that Impair Milk Production
Dehydration
• 66% of body fluid is contained within cells, 34% in the soft tissue compartments,
digestive, and vascular systems.
• Water is required to carry and distribute nutrients and provide fluid for the fetus.
• Water will be utilized for managing heat stress first, then maintenance systems
• Dehydration reduces fluids and nutrients transferred to the cells
• 7 - 8 percent dehydration levels show impaired immune responseCirculatory and Nutrient Disruption
• Blood flow is directed to the surface layers of the body to cool, putting the
digestive system at risk of becoming hypoxic (low oxygen)
• Intestinal toxins can enter circulation and cause inflammation and poor health
• Cells and tissues are deficient in required nutrients and don’t function properly
• Potassium depletes due to low feed intake, sweating, and dehydrationeduced Feed Intake
• Digestion increases body heat so cows will eat less in an attempt to manage
• Heat stress accounts for a 50% drop in feed intake while decreased feed intake
accounts for 50% of the drop in milk yield
• Bout feeding during cooler periods of the day creates risk of acidosis
• Low intake of magnesium leaves cow at risk of hypocalcemiaproductive Compromises
• A nutrition deficit contributes to prolonged postpartum anestrus and
impairs follicular maturity
• Inadequate nutrient intake reduces body condition score and finally cessation
of estrus cycles.
• Vitamin E and selenium work to reduce the incidence of retained placenta
• Cows with retained placenta can have longer postpartum intervals to first
ovulation and more uterine infections
• Cumulative effects of heat stress events can compromise the success of
gestationDehydration
• 66% of body fluid is contained within cells, 34% in the soft tissue compartments, digestive, and vascular systems.
• Water is required to carry and distribute nutrients and provide fluid for the fetus.
• Water will be utilized for managing heat stress first, then maintenance systems
• Dehydration reduces fluids and nutrients transferred to the cells
• 7 - 8 percent dehydration levels show impaired immune response
Circulatory and Nutrient Disruption
• Blood flow is directed to the surface layers of the body to cool, putting the digestive system at risk of becoming hypoxic (low oxygen)
• Intestinal toxins can enter circulation and cause inflammation and poor health
• Cells and tissues are deficient in required nutrients and don’t function properly
• Potassium depletes due to low feed intake, sweating, and dehydration
Reduced Feed Intake
• Digestion increases body heat so cows will eat less in an attempt to manage
• Heat stress accounts for a 50% drop in feed intake while decreased feed intake accounts for 50% of the drop in milk yield
• Bout feeding during cooler periods of the day creates risk of acidosis
• Low intake of magnesium leaves cow at risk of hypocalcemia
Reproductive Compromises
• A nutrition deficit contributes to prolonged postpartum anestrus and impairs follicular maturity
• Inadequate nutrient intake reduces body condition score and finally cessation of estrus cycles.
• Vitamin E and selenium work to reduce the incidence of retained placenta
• Cows with retained placenta can have longer postpartum intervals to first ovulation and more uterine infections
• Cumulative effects of heat stress events can compromise the success of gestation year round
How Bovine BlueLite Can Help Reduce Production Loss
vine BlueLite is chock-full of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium to name a few. Added energy sources come from dextrose, sucrose, fructose and more. Bovine BlueLite also contains betaine, an osmolyte that helps to maintain cell volume and fluid balance thereby helping improve protein synthesis, cell division, and maintain gut integrity. And finally, Bovine BlueLite is vitamin fortified with antioxidant vitamins necessary for combatting tHow Bovine BlueLite Can Help Reduce Production Loss
Bovine BlueLite is chock-full of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium to name a few. Added energy sources come from dextrose, sucrose, fructose and more. Bovine BlueLite also contains betaine, an osmolyte that helps to maintain cell volume and fluid balance thereby helping improve protein synthesis, cell division, and maintain gut integrity. And finally, Bovine BlueLite is vitamin fortified with antioxidant vitamins necessary for combatting toxins.
Bovine BlueLite has proven that it may help:
• Encourage water intake
• Improve dry matter intake
• Replenish electrolyte balance
• Re-establish positive energy balance
• Improve milk production
• Reduce production losses
• Transition cows faster for higher peak milk
 During a recent Florida heat stress trial, cows fed Bovine BlueLite produced more milk and therefore, had reduced production losses over untreated cows. While most dairymen utilize heat abatement equipment, nutritional solutions are often overlooked even though the cow experiencing heat stress has very specific nutritional needs. A nutrition solution like Bovine BlueLite supports the proper hydration and balance of electrolytes and energy in stressed cows. Exactly the kind of nutrition the cow experiencing heat stress needs—delivered at just the right time.
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TechMix Heat Stress ManualYellow
Yellow = Stress Threshold Respiration rate exceeds 60 BPM. Milk yield losses begin. Repro losses detectable. Rectal Temperature exceeds 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Orange = Mild-Moderate Stress Respiration Rate Exceeds 75 BPM. Rectal Temperature exceeds 39°C (102.2°F)
Red = Moderate-Severe Stress Respiration Rate Exceeds 85 BPM Rectal Temperature exceeds 40 °C (104°F)
Purple = Severe Stress. Respiration Rate 120-140 BPM. Rectal Temperature exceeds 41 °C (106°F)
Chart Source: Collier and Zimbleman
Testimonials: TechMix Dairy Customers
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