The heat and humidity of a typical Arkansas summer combine to make a stressful environment for lactating dairy cows. During hot summer weather, milk production may decrease by as much as 50% and reproductive proficiency of lactating dairy cows is greatly diminished.

While the first 85ºF day is a blessed event for beachgoers and sunbathers, it is equally unwelcome in the dairy production sector. From parlors and pens to fields and farms, heat stress is a major challenge for cattle and the people who work with them.

Ensuring that plants receive adequate nutrition is a critical component of a profitable yield, no matter which forage crop you produce. Nutrients come from a variety of mineral or synthetic fertilizer sources, and many producers also rely on organic materials including manure and compost.