Every dairy in the U.S. has experienced the effects of heat stress on dairy cows. There are a variety of management practices dairy producers can use to proactively address heat stress before it happens or support the herd to lessen the impact once it arrives. Yet with all that we know about managing and mitigating heat stress, there are still misconceptions.

It’s typical for newly weaned or sale barn-acquired calves to experience multiple stressors simultaneously when brought onto the farm. This might be the first time those animals are introduced to new feeds. In addition to the new diet, there is a new home along with new penmates and a social hierarchy. These changes then can compound on top of the stress of removing the calf from their dam.

Being prepared for the heat will result in the least amount of stress on the cows and the people dealing with these animals. The environment where the cows reside is the critical area of the barn to evaluate. Keep the ventilation system, including doors and fans, set to where the system was designed. These actions will allow cooler heads (and cows) to prevail.

As we move into the summer months, it’s important to consider water quality and availability for livestock. Animals need water to help them regulate their body temperature, digest feed, lubricate their joints, grow muscle and carry out almost every other biological process in their bodies.

Even with all the available information, the challenges around heat stress still exist, and each summer we see cows struggling to maintain production and reproductive health through high temperatures and humidity across the U.S. While we know a lot about heat stress, there are still areas of learning to lean into and help support herds throughout the summer heat and humidity. 

I have a riddle for you: If you have too much or too little, you worry about it constantly, but if you have the right amount you don’t think about it at all. What is it?

The winter months and routinely low air temperatures present unique challenges for feedlot cattle, particularly in terms of maintaining health and productivity. Cold temperatures, fluctuating weather conditions and increased feed requirements can induce stress in cattle and result in health complications.

The way in which beef producers manage the tasks of "housing" and watering and feeding their cattle during the winter will have a significant impact on the productivity and profitability of the herd.

With agriculture using more than 40% of total U.S. freshwater withdrawals in 2015 and hay and forage crops weighing in at 37% of U.S. irrigation water use, environmental groups and the media have been known to blast alfalfa producers for excessive water use.

Successfully weaning and starting calves on feed can be a rewarding time of year for producers and sets the calf up for future performance. However, the most common time for a calf to contract BRD is within the first four weeks postweaning.