Before the summer months arrive, it’s important to prepare for the potential havoc heat can cause to your cattle.

Review signs of heat stress and prevention methods for cattle, horses and pets.

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.

With heat stress comes lameness and negative impacts on hoof health. In fact, heat stress is one of the biggest factors contributing to dairy cow lameness.

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.

Close monitoring of dietary protein, shade, cooling systems and ventilation will all keep cows cooler during the heat of summer.

Fall calving continues to increase in the U.S. Approximately 30% of the herds in the U.S. are calving in the fall. Depending on where you are in the country, calving could start in late August, mid-October or anywhere in between.