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As summer comes to an end, we must remember to keep our cool when it comes to heat abatement for our dairy herds. We may be enjoying some cooler weather, but for our high-producing dairy cows, the temperature is still running plenty warm for peak production.
Days warmer than 10°C still can create problems in the holding pens and milking parlours where your cows are crowded together.
Brad Romyn has a lot of reasons to smile these days. The third-generation dairy farmer from Notch Hill, British Columbia, has made significant changes to his operation which have resulted in a lot more time to spend with his family and huge improvements to his herd’s milk production.
The Romyns’ old barn was a 100-by-60-foot freestall barn with 7-foot stalls.
When looking at pregnancy rate data for many Canadian dairies, you can instantly tell when summer begins without even looking at the date.
It’s not uncommon to see pregnancy rates cut in half during the hottest periods of the summer.
Summer has arrived, and with it comes heat and humidity. Now is the time to prepare your heat stress and fly control measures. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you are ready for this summer’s heat:
Have you checked to see if your fans are clean to maximize air movement and save electricity? Most of us get so busy this time of year that we forget this simple task. Dirty fans can use up to 70 percent more electricity to deliver 50 percent less air movement. This is important to mature animals, youngstock and calves.
The Armstrong brothers are the fifth generation of their family to farm their homestead near Caledon, Ontario. Philip, Peter and Robert farmed with their dad on the 100-acre homestead since the 1980s.
Robert passed away in 2004; his wife, Shirley, remains a partner in the enterprise. Philip’s wife, Debbie, is involved in the farm by keeping the financial records. His son Richard joined the farm last year.
Once cows were free animals that lived in groups and could decide when to stand up, when to walk and when to rest.
When resting, they of course chose quiet, ventilated spots that were soft and clean. Now dairy cows have a strict daily routine, mainly based on the rhythm of milking.
There have been big changes at Holmdale Farms in the last several years, as fifth-generation farmer Todd Holm has gradually assumed day-to-day management, then ownership of the Bruce County, Ontario, dairy operation.
At first, Todd worked with his dad, George, then in 2000 he took over management, and purchased the operation in 2007.
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