As summer temperatures creep up to more than 25 to 30ºC, heat stress can negatively impact calf health and performance.

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:

Every dairy herd experiences lameness to one degree or another. The difference between a good healthy hoof and chronic problems is sometimes less than one thinks.

As far back as the late 1970s and early 1980s, we discovered that long-day photoperiods of 16 hours of daylight and eight hours of darkness increased milk yield in lactating dairy cows by an average of 7 to 16 percent (2 to 3 kilograms). Several researchers have confirmed this data over the last 20 years. A well-lit barn can also improve the farmer’s workplace safety and mood. Humans feel better and work harder in a well-lit barn. If you are looking to expand or update your facilities, now would be a good time to invest in proper lighting.

Every farmer I speak with would like to improve the reproductive success of his or her dairy herd in some way. Although there are many factors that must be managed in order to achieve this goal, I would like to take this opportunity to focus on the nutrition program.

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.