Summer is in full swing, and it is more important now than ever for dairy producers and nutritionists to know how to plan for and manage heat stress.
A new web-based app allows dairymen and nutritionists to monitor heat stress in their region, days before it occurs. The advanced notification gives dairymen the opportunity to plan for the effects it may have on milk production and cow comfort.
“The app will send you an alert two days in advance of when heat stress is coming to your area and tips to help manage the cows,” Jill Spiekerman, marketing manager for app developer QualiTech, says.
The company’s heat stress app is unlike any other, and there are several other apps.
Producers and nutritionists can access the mobile site at any time to gather temperature and humidity indexes for their specific geographical area by entering in the designated zip code. The app also provides its users with tips to better manage cows during periods of great heat stress.
“If the cows are not comfortable, then they are not going to produce well,” says Spiekerman. “It’s a matter of helping producers and nutritionists do everything they can to make the cows comfortable, so when those hot days hit, and we know they will, you can prepare for them and make the cows as comfortable as possible.”
By simply registering for the app once, the user is able to have heat stress alerts and tips sent directly to their email from anywhere in the U.S.
Nutritionists may find this web-based app particularly beneficial as it allows any user to provide up to five different zip codes. This allows consultants who have a wide coverage area to be able to monitor and prepare for different weather conditions in different areas.
“This app is a ‘set it and forget it’ thing,” Spiekerman says. “Once you sign up, one can receive forecast updates without having to do anything.”
Knowing that people are conscious about how many emails they receive in a day, the company has engineered the app so that users can easily subscribe and just as easily unsubscribe at any time.
For example, producers and nutritionists may choose to subscribe to receive email notifications until fall approaches and cool weather prevails.
“It’s consistently hot in the southern part of the country,” Spiekerman says. “However, every dairyman can benefit from what this app has to offer throughout different times of the year when heat stress may be an issue.”
The application is available for iPhone and Android users. PD
