Above anything, dairy farmers prioritize the health and care of their animals. Whether installing fans or sprinkler systems to help with the hot weather, creating a cool environment for dairy cows is a top item on a dairy farmer’s long list of to-dos.
The recent heat throughout the nation has proven to severely impact the agriculture industry, especially cattle behavior. The heat negatively impacts various facets of a cow’s life, including milk production, fertility, and overall well-being. Dairy farmers are proactively working to reduce heat stress in cows, for both the animal’s benefit and theirs.
Sprinkler systems are a common method used to cool down cows. With the ability to set the sprinklers for any time of day, farmers can maximize the effectiveness of this cooling method by setting them to go off at the hottest time of day. In states with intense levels of dry heat, like California or Arizona, the usage of misters has proven effective in cooling down a cow’s surrounding environment. By releasing smaller droplets of water in lower humidity levels, the water quickly evaporates, which creates a cool environment for the cows and indirectly reduces the heat they face.
Many dairy farms have invested in ventilation systems that aid in air circulation and promote airflow. When combined with misters or sprinkler systems, high speed fans are especially effective in reducing heat and moving cool air throughout the barns.
For many farms, the key to ventilation is in a barn’s design. Several barns feature open sides or vents that keep air circulating and ultimately move the hot air outside. With heat being known to rise and sitting at the top of most barns, investing in a ridge vent allows the hot air to rise and escape from the top of the barn.
Shade within the barns or shade covers are necessary features that also contribute to reducing cattle heat stress. By extending the barn awnings, cows have access to a greater shaded area, which keeps them in comfortable conditions. The addition of shade cloths and cooling curtains also lowers the barn’s heat levels because they block out direct sunlight and limit the environment’s heat levels.
Methods of reducing heat stress vary across farms, but the end goal remains the same for each of them — keeping cows cool, comfortable, and collected.
Morgan Oliveira was the 2024 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She grew up working on her family’s dairy farm near Hilmar, Calif. As a student at Cal Poly University, Oliveira is majoring in agriculture communications.
