Cow Cooling

Creating pregnancies in the heat: Dickman and Sons Dairy

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

How does a dairy that regularly sees temperatures over 110°F create pregnancies? Keeping cows cool. For Dickman and Sons Dairy, it really is that simple.

Evaporative cooling concepts for dairy cattle

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Small increases in temperature and humidity can cause animals to expend more energy to stay cool, directly impacting growth rates and milk yields. By maintaining lower temperatures in the barn, evaporative cooling systems help animals stay comfortable, healthy and productive.

Sensor-based soaking helps to mitigate heat stress while conserving resources

dveeneman@inbarn.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Sensor-based soaking delivers cooling when and where cows need it and uses cow activity to drive system response. When nozzles open because a cow is present and close when she leaves, cooling becomes both more effective and more efficient.

Spring checklist: Preparing your dairy’s ventilation system for warmer weather

marmstrong@canarm.ca — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As warmer weather approaches, preparing fans and ventilation systems should be a top priority for dairy producers. Heat stress can begin at relatively mild temperatures, especially when humidity is high, and its impact on intake, reproduction and health can linger long after temperatures cool.

Water quality: Easy to overlook, costly to ignore

NAndrew@zinpro.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

A plentiful supply of good clean water is essential for normal digestion and metabolism, including rumen fermentation, proper movement of feed through the intestinal tract and effective nutrient absorption.

The 10 myths of managing heat stress

gmaldini@diamondv.com — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

3 critical components of ventilation for milking parlors and holding areas

kristin.brommer@ves-artex.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Proper airflow in milking parlors and holding areas is essential for the well-being of the herd and the efficiency of dairy operations. By effectively removing heat, moisture, odors and contaminants produced by the cows, proper ventilation ensures the cows' comfort, prevents heat stress, maintains good air quality and supports animal health overall.

11 steps to prepare for the summer heat

dillg@standardnutrition.com — Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

How to support cows through the marathon of heat stress

matt_dodd@diamondv.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Are you focusing on these cow comfort essentials?

kristin.brommer@ves-artex.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Ventilation, cooling, bedding, lighting, feed and water access are the main foundations of cow comfort. Focusing on these aspects when designing and building your dairy barn will greatly enhance cow comfort, leading to better milk production, reduced health issues and overall improved welfare.

Spring prep for your power ventilation system

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As spring approaches, and before your power ventilation system is required to operate at full capacity, it is a best practice to thoroughly inspect all equipment to ensure it is functioning at peak efficiency. This proactive approach can prevent expensive repairs, extend the life of your system and ensure your livestock remain comfortable during the warmer months.

Seasonal transitions in dairy ventilation: Essential maintenance and upgrades for optimal herd health

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

By proactively managing your livestock ventilation system as the seasons change, you can ensure a stable, healthy environment for your animals year-round. Regular maintenance, thoughtful adjustments to your system and considering upgrades when possible will all contribute to optimal conditions in your dairy.

How to avoid ventilation pitfalls in the spring and fall

dveeneman@inbarn.com — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

While the necessity of maintaining adequate ventilation during the extremes of summer and winter is well recognized, the transitional seasons of spring and fall present unique challenges that often are overlooked. This article explores the pitfalls associated with off-season ventilation and offers actionable strategies for dairy producers to address these issues.

Barn planning: Decisions, decisions

brodenburg@inbarn.com — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

There are many things to consider before we even start to design a facility layout. First, we need to focus on priorities, long-term goals and education. Secondly, we need to make general systems decisions, and finally, we can begin focusing on layout and planning.

What management practices and facility styles support better milk production?

clemence.nash@novusint.com — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Novus C.O.W.S. Program has helped dairy farmers unlock bottlenecks in cow comfort and productivity across North America for over 12 years.

More than milk production: Long-term effects of heat stress

twood@lallemand.com — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Impacts of heat stress on dairy cows extend beyond immediate milk production. Maternal heat stress in utero affects fetal development, leading to compromised growth, immune function and long-term productivity in offspring.

Reduce heat stress with soaking

mario.mondaca@ves-artex.com — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Heat stress has been estimated to cost the dairy industry $897 million, and one of the most effective methods to alleviate heat stress is to cool the cow directly using low-pressure soaking. This article will focus on feedlane soaking but will also touch on other areas where soaking is used.

5 things to know about ventilation

dveeneman@inbarn.com — Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Proper ventilation not only ensures the health and well-being of your cows but also contributes to the overall efficiency and productivity of your dairy operation. In this article, we will delve into five essential aspects of dairy barn ventilation that every dairy producer should be well versed in.

Top 3 tips to improve cow comfort

amber.adamsprogar@gmail.com — Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Based on my last 14 years studying cow behavior, three specific areas rise to the top of my list for improving cow comfort. If these three tips are addressed on your farm, your cows are or will be rewarding you with fewer cases of disease and an increase in milk production.

New 'smart' trough technology flushes debris to keep water clean

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Mon, 06 May 2024 08:03:14 -0400

A Wisconsin-based company aims to help dairies improve herd health and milk production with a new technology that levels up the usefulness of on-farm water troughs. The company’s new trough design eliminates organic materials with minimal water usage before they inhibit cleanliness.

Maintain your ventilation system to maintain production

katlyn.langmeier@ves-artex.com — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The early spring season is the ideal time to give your fans the attention they need so that they can run at 100% performance. This should become part of the farm’s routine maintenance plan.

Practical heat stress management tips

ofier@dairyschool.co.il — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Dairy cows are vulnerable to heat stress. As temperatures rise, so does a cow’s body temperature and respiratory rate as she pants to cool down.

Going from good to great with fans

dveeneman@inbarn.com — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Just buying fans and hanging them haphazardly around your barn is not going to be very helpful in your fight against the rising summer temperatures. There are a few key concepts that you need to consider to get it right.

Cool your cows from the inside out

nathanupah@techmixglobal.com — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Biological systems are amazing. One can’t even begin to comprehend the number of signaling pathways and exchanges required for life to exist, and what is more profound is so many of those systems are involuntary.

Heat stress and the often-forgotten heifers

cab7033@psu.edu — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:50:53 -0400

The initial cost of implementing the appropriate heat abatement in barns and on pasture may be intimidating, but keeping all cattle, including heifers, cool can provide a good return on your investment as it makes them more comfortable, thereby making the negative effects of heat stress less severe, and setting them up for success for their future lactations.

Does your ventilation system work?

nigel.cook@wisc.edu — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:18:35 -0400

With so many different approaches to ventilating adult cow barns – from natural to mechanical systems, from negative pressure tunnels and cross-vents to positive pressure hybrid systems – how do you actually know if it works?

Heat stress and essential nutrients for rumen microbes

dtomlinson@zinpro.com — Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The impact of heat stress is cumulative. One event may be easy for a cow to bounce back from, but over time, repeated bouts take longer recovery and hinder profitability. Nutrition is a valuable tool to help mitigate the effects of heat stress and maintain herd productivity.

[Podcast] Stu Rymph, Ph.D. from Purina discusses strategies for reducing heat stress to keep your cows cool and comfortable this season

Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

As temperatures begin to rise, dairy producers know their cows are susceptible to heat stress. Even in relatively cool regions, heat stress can negatively affect cow comfort, health and performance. Stu Rymph, technical support dairy nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition, says understanding the visual signs of heat stress is the first step to developing strategies to help your cows cope with the heat.

Strategies to overcome heat stress

candace.schiestel@adm.com — Tue, 16 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Scientific advances in animal nutrition have uncovered an array of ingredients that have been shown to help cattle cope with high heat.

One of the most essential areas to keep your cows cool

Mike.Wolf@ves-artex.com — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A cow’s core body temperature can rise very quickly in the holding pen without a cooling strategy in place. Therefore, the cooling strategy for the parlor and holding pen must be more aggressive to compensate for these heat abatement challenges.