Dairy producers must combat many challenges, one of which is heat stress. While heat stress can negatively impact the entire herd, for dry cows it can not only affect the health and performance of the cow but also the development and lifetime productivity of the unborn calf.
Heat stress occurs when cows are unable to dissipate sufficient body heat, leading to an increase in body temperature. Studies show that dairy cows start experiencing the negative effects of heat stress at as low as a THI (temperature humidity index) of 65.
Heat stress during the dry cow period prior to freshening
During heat stress periods, dry cow comfort is often overlooked making them particularly vulnerable. The dry period occurs during late gestation when the fetus grows at the fastest rate and accumulates ~60% of its birth weight (Bauman and Currie, 1980). Typical consequences of heat stress reflect in loss of production; however, specific to dry cows, the effects can have long-term negative consequences and be detrimental to the future of the herd.
Consequences of heat stress on the unborn calf
- Greater stillborn rates in cows that experienced heat stress during gestation when compared with cooled cows
- Calves born from heat stressed dry cows experienced compromised passive transfer
- Lower birth weight resulting in lower weaning weight
- Reduced lifetime productivity including decreased lactation potential (Figure 1) and reproductive efficiency
Bovine BlueLite® is proven to Cool Your Cows from The Inside Out®.
Benefits of Bovine BlueLite during heat stress:
- Ability to maintain lower body temperatures (Figure 2)
- Better water retention efficiency
- Improved dissipation of excess heat
Click the BlueLite® logo below for product information.
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