When it comes to heat abatement, most dairy farmers are likely to focus on their lactating cows. At the 2023 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, Dr. Geoffrey Dahl from the University of Florida shared why this may not actually be the best method.

Choosing the right cooling system for a dairy farm will depend on various factors such as the climate in the region, the size of the farm and the cost of installation and maintenance.

Heat stress reduces milk yield and compromises fertility in the dairy cow. This problem is observed across the U.S. and is compounded in the Southern and Southeastern states where summer temperatures are excessive.

Dry, non-lactating dairy cows are more thermo-tolerant relative to their lactating counterparts, as they are not putting high levels of energy into making milk.