WEBVTT 00:00:10.589 --> 00:00:13.390 Summer heat isn't just stealing milk, it's robbing 00:00:13.390 --> 00:00:18.629 dairy farmers of $1 ,500 per cow annually. Welcome 00:00:18.629 --> 00:00:20.850 to the Bullvine Podcast, where we tackle the 00:00:20.850 --> 00:00:23.469 tough questions the dairy industry is too afraid 00:00:23.469 --> 00:00:25.989 to ask. Today we're ripping the Band -Aid off 00:00:25.989 --> 00:00:28.910 conventional heat stress strategies. Why are 00:00:28.910 --> 00:00:32.210 63 % of heat stress costs hitting dairy herds 00:00:32.210 --> 00:00:35.229 while most farms still rely on outdated fans 00:00:35.229 --> 00:00:38.350 and prayers? We're exposing the $2 .9 billion 00:00:38.350 --> 00:00:41.229 elephant in the barn. Half measures don't cut 00:00:41.229 --> 00:00:44.829 it anymore. This episode, we're diving into the 00:00:44.829 --> 00:00:48.070 proven system's tripling ROI, the hidden link 00:00:48.070 --> 00:00:50.570 between dry cow cooling and your herd's genetic 00:00:50.570 --> 00:00:53.689 future, and why your nutrition tweaks might be 00:00:53.689 --> 00:00:56.960 fueling acidosis instead of fighting it. If you're 00:00:56.960 --> 00:00:59.119 still treating heat stress as a summer nuisance, 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:01.979 you're subsidizing your competitors. Let's fix 00:01:01.979 --> 00:01:04.040 that. All right, welcome back to the Deep Dive. 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:06.579 Today, we're really digging into something that 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:10.480 hits dairy farms hard every single summer. Heat 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:13.079 stress. Yeah, it's a huge financial drain. We're 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:18.129 talking figures north of $1 ,500 per cow. per 00:01:18.129 --> 00:01:20.609 year. That's serious money just evaporating, 00:01:20.609 --> 00:01:22.650 isn't it? Yeah. And industry -wide, the numbers 00:01:22.650 --> 00:01:24.890 are kind of staggering. They really are. Somewhere 00:01:24.890 --> 00:01:28.329 between, what, $897 million and $1 .5 billion 00:01:28.329 --> 00:01:31.170 lost annually. That's what the cooling strategies 00:01:31.170 --> 00:01:33.569 many farms already use. And potentially almost 00:01:33.569 --> 00:01:36.719 $3 billion without any intervention. Yeah. Wow. 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:39.200 OK, so this isn't small potatoes. Not at all. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:41.439 And for you listening, the farmers, the industry 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:43.859 pros who fight this battle year after year, we 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:46.000 want to go beyond the usual discussion. Right. 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:47.840 We're not just talking about that obvious drop 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.079 in milk. Exactly. We're diving deep into why 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:53.900 maybe those good enough or half measure strategies 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:56.060 might actually be costing you more than you realize, 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:59.099 bleeding you dry in hidden ways. OK, so less 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:01.459 about the bulk tank level, more about the sneaky 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:04.000 profit killers. That's the plan. We'll unpack 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.519 how heat messes with milk components, reproduction, 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:09.800 overall health, and the dry cows too, right? 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:11.919 That's often overlooked. Hugely overlooked. Yeah. 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:14.580 And it impacts the next generation. So yeah, 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:18.360 consider this a no -nonsense look at the full 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:21.280 economic sting. And why a really comprehensive 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:25.099 approach isn't just nice, it's, well, essential 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:27.740 for staying profitable. For sure. And let's be 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:29.939 honest, anyone who's worked a summer on a dairy 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:33.319 knows cows and heat don't mix well. Right. It's 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:36.039 not exactly news. But the sheer size of the financial 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:38.860 hit and how we sometimes, you know, stick with 00:02:38.860 --> 00:02:41.400 Band -Aids when we need more, that's what's eye 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:43.159 -opening. Like trying to bail out a boat with 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:45.060 a teaspoon when there are holes in the bottom. 00:02:45.639 --> 00:02:47.740 That's a pretty good analogy, actually. Okay, 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:49.919 let's get into the nitty -gritty then. We all 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:52.240 see milk production dip when it gets hot. That's 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:54.180 the obvious one. It's the most visible sign, 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:56.500 yeah. Easy to measure. But you mentioned earlier 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:59.280 the impact isn't the same everywhere. No, definitely 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.979 not. It varies quite a bit regionally. For instance, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:05.219 a dairy in Wisconsin might see costs around, 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:08.939 say, $72 per cow per year. Still significant. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:12.039 But compare that to Florida or Texas. You could 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:16.580 be looking at nearly $700 per cow. Wow. $700. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:19.659 Yeah. And think about what that means in terms 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:23.099 of profit margins. Losing $700 per cow is like 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:26.199 losing the profit for maybe 2 ,000 to 3 ,000 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:28.419 pounds of milk. Just gone. Poof. Vanished with 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:30.319 the heat. Exactly. That's a big chunk of income 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:33.580 to just accept losing every year. Okay. So beyond 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:36.520 just less milk volume, where else is heat stress 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:39.879 punching us in the wallet? Well, let's look right 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:42.180 at that milk check. Beyond the gallons, heat 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:44.800 stress actually changes the milk itself. How 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:47.509 so? We often see a drop in protein percentage 00:03:47.509 --> 00:03:50.129 and sometimes milk fat depression too. Okay, 00:03:50.210 --> 00:03:52.090 why does that happen? Well, several reasons. 00:03:52.250 --> 00:03:54.610 One key thing is the cow has a reduced supply 00:03:54.610 --> 00:03:56.849 of essential amino acids reaching the mammary 00:03:56.849 --> 00:03:59.530 gland. These are the building blocks for milk 00:03:59.530 --> 00:04:01.830 protein. So less building material available. 00:04:02.189 --> 00:04:04.789 Right, plus the whole rumen environment gets... 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:07.659 kind of thrown off. You get respiratory alkalosis 00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:09.960 because the cow's panting so much trying to cool 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:12.180 down. Wait, panting affects the rumen. That's 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:14.180 interesting. It does. It changes the blood chemistry, 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:16.620 which impacts rumen buffering. And their feeding 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:19.480 patterns change too, which disrupts rumen function. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:21.800 Okay, so it's a chain reaction. It really is. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:23.980 And all these rumen issues mess with nutrient 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:26.120 digestion. Now think about how you get paid. 00:04:26.490 --> 00:04:29.069 Components. Right. Butterfat and protein percentages. 00:04:29.370 --> 00:04:32.350 Exactly. Premiums or penalties. So even a small 00:04:32.350 --> 00:04:35.930 drop, like just one tenth of a percent in fat. 00:04:36.189 --> 00:04:40.230 Yeah. That can easily cost a larger farm thousands 00:04:40.230 --> 00:04:44.569 of dollars every single month. Ouch. So less 00:04:44.569 --> 00:04:47.230 milk. And the milk you do get is worth less per 00:04:47.230 --> 00:04:49.610 pound. That's a real double whammy. Hits you 00:04:49.610 --> 00:04:51.509 right where it hurts financially. What about 00:04:51.509 --> 00:04:53.350 longer term impacts? You mentioned reproduction 00:04:53.350 --> 00:04:55.990 takes a hit. Yes. And this is where the costs 00:04:55.990 --> 00:04:58.610 really add up silently, you know, over time. 00:04:58.769 --> 00:05:01.009 Heat stress isn't just an immediate problem. 00:05:01.290 --> 00:05:03.949 It has delayed effects. Absolutely. What's really 00:05:03.949 --> 00:05:06.350 crucial to understand is the timing. Heat stress 00:05:06.350 --> 00:05:08.689 can actually damage the eucocytes, the eggs, 00:05:08.750 --> 00:05:11.189 like 40 to 50 days before they're even ovulated. 00:05:11.389 --> 00:05:14.290 Hold on. 40 to 50 days? Yeah. The damage happens 00:05:14.290 --> 00:05:16.350 way before you even think about breeding that 00:05:16.350 --> 00:05:18.850 cow. Those potential pregnancies were compromised 00:05:18.850 --> 00:05:21.810 weeks earlier. So that really hot spell you had 00:05:21.810 --> 00:05:24.269 in July. could still be messing up your conception 00:05:24.269 --> 00:05:26.990 rates way into September. That is a sobering 00:05:26.990 --> 00:05:29.170 thought. You're fighting battles from weeks ago. 00:05:29.550 --> 00:05:32.029 Precisely. While you're focused on the milk drop 00:05:32.029 --> 00:05:34.089 during the heat, your future pregnancies are 00:05:34.089 --> 00:05:36.009 already being jeopardized. And then you think 00:05:36.009 --> 00:05:38.529 about the extra costs. Right. How many extra 00:05:38.529 --> 00:05:41.470 straws of semen are you using? More preg checks 00:05:41.470 --> 00:05:44.089 because cows aren't settling. It all adds up. 00:05:44.129 --> 00:05:47.029 It's like a hidden summer tax on breeding. Definitely. 00:05:47.029 --> 00:05:49.470 A substantial hidden cost. Okay, so we've got 00:05:49.470 --> 00:05:51.970 milk components down, reproduction struggling. 00:05:52.910 --> 00:05:55.310 What other financial leaks are hiding out there? 00:05:55.529 --> 00:05:58.149 Health issues are another big one. Heat stress 00:05:58.149 --> 00:06:00.629 weakens the cow's immune system. Making her more 00:06:00.629 --> 00:06:03.589 susceptible. Significantly more to things like 00:06:03.589 --> 00:06:06.310 mastitis, especially when it's hot and humid 00:06:06.310 --> 00:06:09.069 and bacteria are having a field day. Makes sense. 00:06:09.269 --> 00:06:12.300 What about lameness? Is there a link? There is, 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:15.459 actually. To cool off, cows tend to stand more. 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:18.120 They're trying to increase airflow around their 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.639 bodies. But all that extra standing? Puts more 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:22.699 strain on their feet and legs. Increases the 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:24.959 risk of lameness. Okay, and then the gut issues. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:29.079 You mentioned Sarah. Exactly. Subacute ruminal 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:32.050 acidosis. The risk goes way up. Why is that? 00:06:32.389 --> 00:06:35.129 Well, remember the panting. It reduces the natural 00:06:35.129 --> 00:06:38.250 buffering from saliva. Plus, those altered feeding 00:06:38.250 --> 00:06:40.129 patterns we talked about, maybe slug feeding 00:06:40.129 --> 00:06:42.449 when it cools off, that destabilizes the rumen 00:06:42.449 --> 00:06:44.709 pH. Which opens the door to other problems. Oh, 00:06:44.709 --> 00:06:47.730 yeah. Reduced nutrient absorption, lower efficiency, 00:06:48.089 --> 00:06:50.990 potentially other metabolic issues, and don't 00:06:50.990 --> 00:06:53.230 forget the labor side. Dealing with more sick 00:06:53.230 --> 00:06:56.189 cows. Right when your team is already stretched 00:06:56.189 --> 00:06:58.850 thin because of the heat. Have you factored in 00:06:58.850 --> 00:07:01.550 that extra treatment time, the medication costs, 00:07:01.709 --> 00:07:04.189 the stress on your people? It's a domino effect, 00:07:04.350 --> 00:07:08.110 isn't it? Sick cows, less milk, more work during 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:10.490 the toughest time of year. You got it. Now, you 00:07:10.490 --> 00:07:12.389 also brought up dry cows earlier. That's something 00:07:12.389 --> 00:07:14.269 I think really deserves more attention. Yeah, 00:07:14.290 --> 00:07:16.250 I agree. What's the impact there? It's often 00:07:16.250 --> 00:07:18.910 underestimated, but it's significant. Heat stress 00:07:18.910 --> 00:07:21.610 during the dry period can actually impair the 00:07:21.610 --> 00:07:24.269 development of the mammary gland itself. So it 00:07:24.269 --> 00:07:26.209 affects the udder development for the next lactation. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:30.079 Exactly. It means when that cow freshens, she 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:32.920 just doesn't have the physical capacity to produce 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:37.399 as much milk. We could be talking 8 to 11 pounds 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:41.019 less milk per day. 8 to 11 pounds a day just 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:43.120 lost from the start of that lactation. Right. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.220 Because of heat stress during the previous dry 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:47.319 period. It's like hobbling her before the race 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:49.899 even starts. That's a huge hit to her potential. 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:52.060 And you said it affects the calves too. Yes. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.540 This is where it gets really fascinating and 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:57.459 honestly a bit scary. It's called fetal programming. 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:00.259 Fetal programming. Yeah. If the dam experiences 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.339 significant heat stress, especially late in gestation, 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:06.910 it negatively impacts the developing fetus. In 00:08:06.910 --> 00:08:09.009 what ways? These cats can be born with weaker 00:08:09.009 --> 00:08:11.230 immune systems. They might have lower survival 00:08:11.230 --> 00:08:14.050 rates. Okay. And here's the kicker for the future 00:08:14.050 --> 00:08:17.269 herd. The female offspring, the heifers born 00:08:17.269 --> 00:08:20.009 from heat stress dams, they often have significantly 00:08:20.009 --> 00:08:22.310 lower lifetime milk production. How much lower? 00:08:22.550 --> 00:08:25.889 Studies suggest maybe 5 to 14 pounds less milk 00:08:25.889 --> 00:08:28.370 per day across their first three lactations. 00:08:28.550 --> 00:08:30.870 Wow. For potentially three whole lactations. 00:08:31.110 --> 00:08:34.340 Yes. So that one hot summer when you didn't cool 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:36.940 the dry cows effectively, you might have just 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:39.580 set back your genetic progress for years to come. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:42.960 So skimping on dry cow cooling isn't just a short 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:45.580 -term saving, it's a long -term cost. That's 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:48.039 a crucial point. It absolutely is. Okay, the 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:51.200 problem is clear. Heat stress is this multi -headed 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:55.440 beast costing farms a fortune. Let's talk solutions. 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:59.059 Fans, sprinklers, are we using them right? Getting 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:01.789 the ROI we expect. That is the million -dollar 00:09:01.789 --> 00:09:04.169 question, isn't it? Because not all cooling is 00:09:04.169 --> 00:09:07.190 created equal. Many farms are investing, but 00:09:07.190 --> 00:09:09.509 maybe not in the most effective way to get the 00:09:09.509 --> 00:09:11.649 best bang for their buck. It's about understanding 00:09:11.649 --> 00:09:14.450 how cooling actually works. Exactly. The principles 00:09:14.450 --> 00:09:17.549 of heat transfer. Are you really maximizing evaporative 00:09:17.549 --> 00:09:19.970 cooling? Are you moving enough air? It's like 00:09:19.970 --> 00:09:22.389 trying to cool your house efficiently. If you 00:09:22.389 --> 00:09:24.090 leave all the windows wide open, you're using 00:09:24.090 --> 00:09:26.409 energy but not getting the result. Okay, let's 00:09:26.409 --> 00:09:28.909 break down the common methods. Fans and sprinklers. 00:09:29.070 --> 00:09:31.970 That's the standard combo, right? It is, and 00:09:31.970 --> 00:09:34.389 often a very good one, especially in more humid 00:09:34.389 --> 00:09:37.590 climates. The research is pretty clear. The combination 00:09:37.590 --> 00:09:40.769 is much better than just fans or just sprinklers 00:09:40.769 --> 00:09:43.590 alone. Why is the combination so important? The 00:09:43.590 --> 00:09:46.029 sprinklers need to thoroughly wet the cow's coat, 00:09:46.169 --> 00:09:48.899 right down to the skin. not just a light mist. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:52.440 Then the fans provide the crucial airflow over 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:56.139 her body. To speed up evaporation? Exactly. That 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.600 evaporation is what pulls the heat away. It's 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:02.179 a powerful synergy. Yet you still see farms with 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:04.220 just fans or sprinklers that don't provide enough 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:07.240 water, or the cycle timing is off. It's like 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.779 having a milking system without pulsation, maybe. 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:12.320 You're missing a key part of the process. That's 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:13.779 a good way to put it. You're not getting the 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:15.940 full efficiency. What about the bigger systems? 00:10:16.549 --> 00:10:19.850 Tunnel or cross -ventilated barns. Those are 00:10:19.850 --> 00:10:21.929 definitely a step up in terms of controlling 00:10:21.929 --> 00:10:23.970 the environment. When they're designed well, 00:10:24.090 --> 00:10:26.549 often using evaporative cooling pads at the air 00:10:26.549 --> 00:10:28.990 inlets. Like the swamp coolers. Sort of, yeah. 00:10:29.110 --> 00:10:31.009 They can create a much more consistent, cool 00:10:31.009 --> 00:10:34.029 environment. Studies show significantly lower 00:10:34.029 --> 00:10:36.789 body temps, much smaller drops in milk production 00:10:36.789 --> 00:10:39.940 in well -managed tunnel barns, for example. They 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:41.440 sound like a good option, especially if natural 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:44.179 ventilation isn't great. Definitely. If your 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:47.679 barn location or size or orientation limits natural 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:50.700 airflow, these mechanical systems can be invaluable. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:53.080 But a bigger investment up front, presumably. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:55.840 Generally, yes. But the level of control is much 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.559 higher. Now, you touched on climate earlier. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:00.879 Does that really dictate the best tech? Yeah. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.779 How important is matching the system to the local 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:06.240 humidity? It's absolutely critical. Humidity 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:09.639 is key. In humid areas, like much of the Midwest 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:12.360 or Northeast, the air can't hold much more moisture. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:15.559 Right. So your best bet is directly wetting the 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:18.360 cows, soaking sprinklers combined with high air 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:21.600 speed from fans. Okay. And in drier places, like 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:23.720 the West or Southwest? There, the air can absorb 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:26.259 more moisture. So systems that cool the air itself, 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:29.120 like misters that create a very fine fog, or 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.000 those evaporative cooling pads in tunnel or cross 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.820 vent barns can be very effective. But using the 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:37.179 wrong system is bad. Oh, yeah. Using misters 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:39.820 in a humid climate. You basically just create 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.620 a scheme bath. You make it harder for the cow 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:44.039 to cool off because evaporation slows right down. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:47.559 That makes sense. So know your humidity. Okay, 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:50.539 back to the money. These systems, especially 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:53.379 the more advanced ones, cost real dollars. Is 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.659 the investment truly worth it? What's the ROI 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.720 look like? Let's look at the numbers because 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.600 they're pretty persuasive. Take dry cow cooling 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:03.389 specifically. Investing in that has shown an 00:12:03.389 --> 00:12:07.269 average payback of around 5 .7 years. That's 00:12:07.269 --> 00:12:10.309 pretty solid. It is. Milk pre -coolers, which 00:12:10.309 --> 00:12:12.710 help with milk quality and save energy, often 00:12:12.710 --> 00:12:16.009 pay back even faster, maybe 3 .5 years on average. 00:12:16.330 --> 00:12:18.830 Okay. And the big ventilation systems. When you 00:12:18.830 --> 00:12:20.809 look at something like tunnel ventilation, the 00:12:20.809 --> 00:12:23.070 reduction in milk losses alone can justify a 00:12:23.070 --> 00:12:25.289 much higher initial investment than just basic 00:12:25.289 --> 00:12:27.789 fans and sprinklers. Some studies suggest it 00:12:27.789 --> 00:12:30.710 justifies spending up to an extra $332 per cow 00:12:30.710 --> 00:12:33.009 space. So the math works out. It's not just about 00:12:33.009 --> 00:12:35.289 cow comfort. It's tangible financial return. 00:12:35.710 --> 00:12:38.389 Absolutely. The money you save each year by preventing 00:12:38.389 --> 00:12:42.830 those losses, milk, repro, health, gives you 00:12:42.830 --> 00:12:45.049 a really attractive return on that initial investment. 00:12:45.429 --> 00:12:47.370 It's like earning interest instead of losing 00:12:47.370 --> 00:12:49.950 principal. Exactly. In some really hot regions, 00:12:50.129 --> 00:12:52.690 the savings in just the first summer can actually 00:12:52.690 --> 00:12:55.269 get close to paying for the upgrades. So given 00:12:55.269 --> 00:12:57.710 those numbers, why the hesitation sometimes? 00:12:58.299 --> 00:13:01.139 We invest heavily in parlors and feed storage. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:05.080 Why is cooling sometimes seen as, I don't know, 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:07.779 optional? That is the persistent question, isn't 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:10.000 it? It feels like maybe some producers have just 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.139 accepted summer losses as inevitable, a cost 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.120 of doing business. Instead of seeing it as a 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.500 problem with a solvable, profitable solution. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.039 Right. We wouldn't accept a milking system that 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:22.820 leaves half the milk behind or feed storage that 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:26.100 ruins half the TMR. We invest to fix those. Effective 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.440 heat abatement should be seen the same way. as 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:30.720 essential infrastructure i certainly think so 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:33.259 in many places it's just as critical to maintaining 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:35.460 performance as anything else during those hot 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:38.820 months okay point taken let's shift gears to 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:42.539 the cow herself beyond the environment what about 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:45.279 nutrition how can we help her cope from the inside 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:48.289 out Nutrition is a massive piece of this, and 00:13:48.289 --> 00:13:50.429 it's way more than just, you know, tossing in 00:13:50.429 --> 00:13:52.309 some extra buffer. It needs a more strategic 00:13:52.309 --> 00:13:55.470 approach. Definitely. A proper heat stress feeding 00:13:55.470 --> 00:13:58.370 strategy means reformulating the entire ration 00:13:58.370 --> 00:14:00.889 to account for what's happening physiologically 00:14:00.889 --> 00:14:03.490 inside that cow. Okay, so what are the key things 00:14:03.490 --> 00:14:06.009 we need to adjust in a summer ration? Well, first 00:14:06.009 --> 00:14:09.179 off, energy density is key. Cows naturally eat 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:11.419 less when it's hot. Dry matter intake drops. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:14.360 Right. So you need to pack more energy into every 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:16.720 bite they do take. This often means using supplemental 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:19.399 fats, especially rumen and ERT or bypass fats. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.519 Why bypass fats? They provide energy without 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.759 generating as much heat during rumen fermentation 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.179 compared to, say, carbohydrates. We also need 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:30.220 to look closely at fiber. How so? Replacing some 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.639 of the rapidly fermented carbs with highly digestible 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.500 fiber sources helps maintain energy intake but 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.879 can also lower the risk of sera. Think of it 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:41.159 as a more stable energy release, like a rumen 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:44.059 surge protector, maybe. Oh, I like that. A rumen 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:46.779 surge protector. Okay, what about protein? We 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:48.659 need to make sure enough essential amino acids 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:51.379 get downstream to the small intestine, even if 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:54.059 rumen microbial protein synthesis might dip a 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:57.720 bit. So maybe more bypass protein or other sources. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:15:00.799 Exactly. Using more rumen -undegradable protein 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:03.100 or perhaps some slow -release nitrogen sources 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:06.159 can help ensure her amino acid needs are met. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:09.320 So it's about getting more energy in, but carefully, 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:12.879 while ensuring protein supply. What about specific 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:16.399 additives? Buffers, electrolytes, yeast, do they 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.860 really work? They absolutely can when used correctly. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:21.799 Buffers like sodium bicarbonate are really important. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:24.139 To counteract the effects of panting on rumen 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:27.799 pH. Precisely. Increasing bicarb to maybe 8 to 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:30.840 12 ounces per head per day can really help stabilize 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:33.639 that rumen pH, maintain fiber digestion, and 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:36.429 protect milk fat. Okay. And electrolytes. Critical. 00:15:36.549 --> 00:15:38.990 Cows sweat a lot and they lose significant amounts 00:15:38.990 --> 00:15:40.909 of potassium and sodium. So we need to replace 00:15:40.909 --> 00:15:43.970 those. Definitely. We often need to boost dietary 00:15:43.970 --> 00:15:47.690 potassium levels up to maybe 1 .5 to 1 .7 percent 00:15:47.690 --> 00:15:51.200 of dry matter intake and watch sodium too. It's 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:53.399 surprising how often summer mineral levels look 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.419 just like winter levels. Like expecting your 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:57.740 truck to run the same coolant level in July as 00:15:57.740 --> 00:16:00.299 in January. Exactly. It doesn't make sense. You 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:02.299 have to adjust for the conditions. And then there's 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:04.740 yeast. What's the benefit there? Specific strains 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.519 of live yeast or yeast cultures can really support 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:10.419 the rumen. They help stabilize pH. Some studies 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:12.460 suggest they might even help slightly lower body 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.879 temperature. And they can definitely help maintain 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:18.179 milk fat. So they're not just hype. They can 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:20.980 be useful tools. They can be very effective tools 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:23.639 for keeping that rumen microbiome happy under 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.919 stress. So it's a whole diet approach, not just 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.480 one magic ingredient. What about just the practical 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:31.440 side of feeding? Does how we feed matter in summer? 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.539 Oh, absolutely. Feed management is huge. And 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:37.700 let's start with the most basic, but maybe most 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:41.200 important, water. Access becomes even more critical. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:44.279 It's non -negotiable. Water intake can jump 50 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:47.059 % or more. You need multiple watering points, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.379 plenty of space, aim for like 1 .5 to 2 inches 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:52.919 of linear trough space per cow. And keep them 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:55.200 full. And keep them full with a fast refill rate. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:58.539 And this is huge. Clean them daily. Daily. Every 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:00.679 day in the summer. Think about it. Would you 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:03.100 want to drink lukewarm water from a trough full 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.539 of algae and old feed? Point taken. No. Neither 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:10.410 do they. Cleanliness drives intake. Then think 00:17:10.410 --> 00:17:12.849 about when you feed. Shift to cooler times. Yes. 00:17:13.089 --> 00:17:16.410 Late afternoon, evening feeding often works well. 00:17:16.529 --> 00:17:19.009 Maybe feed smaller meals more frequently to keep 00:17:19.009 --> 00:17:22.430 feed fresh. Encourage consistent intake. Discourage 00:17:22.430 --> 00:17:25.230 slug feeding. And keep pushing feed up. Constantly. 00:17:25.230 --> 00:17:27.789 Ensure that TMR is well mixed and always accessible. 00:17:28.170 --> 00:17:30.130 Minimize sorting. These aren't small things. 00:17:30.230 --> 00:17:31.970 They're fundamental management for heat stress. 00:17:32.210 --> 00:17:35.230 Okay. Environment, nutrition. Let's look at the 00:17:35.230 --> 00:17:37.210 barns themselves. Are there simple facility tweaks, 00:17:37.349 --> 00:17:39.609 things that don't break the bank that can help? 00:17:39.769 --> 00:17:42.130 For sure. Many barns can be improved with some 00:17:42.130 --> 00:17:44.710 relatively low cost adjustments. Ventilation 00:17:44.710 --> 00:17:46.609 is king. What are the goals with ventilation? 00:17:46.990 --> 00:17:49.720 Two main things. First... Air exchange, getting 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:52.720 the hot, humid, stale air out and fresh air in. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:56.759 Aim for 40 to 60 air changes per hour in summer. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:59.140 Okay, number one is air exchange. Number two... 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:01.900 Air speed over the cows. You want that moving 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:04.980 air, ideally three to five miles per hour, right 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.339 where the cows are resting, to help with evaporative 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:09.500 cooling. How do we achieve that practically? 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.799 In naturally ventilated barns, it starts with 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:15.259 the basics. Big sidewall openings, unobstructed, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:17.099 let the air move through. And the roof design 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:19.940 matters. Absolutely. Adequate eave height helps, 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:23.099 and a properly sized open ridge vent is crucial 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:26.519 to let that hot air escape upwards. Heat rises, 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:29.160 let it out. But what if natural ventilation just 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:32.079 isn't cutting it? Maybe the barn design or location 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:35.200 is poor. Then mechanical ventilation fans, tunnel, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:38.000 cross vent becomes necessary, not optional. It's 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.559 surprising how many barns are really designed 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:42.140 more for winter warmth than summer cooling. Limited 00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:44.140 openings, maybe not enough slope for airflow. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:47.000 Exactly. And one critical area that often gets 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.519 completely neglected. Where is that? The milking 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:52.539 parlor holding pin. Ah, yes. Cows packed in tight. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:56.079 High density, high stress. That area needs aggressive 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:59.299 cooling. Multiple high -speed fans, maybe even 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:01.960 intermittent sprinklers. It makes a huge difference 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.619 to cow stress during milking. That's a really 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:06.640 key takeaway. Don't forget the holding pen. What 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:08.859 about water systems inside the barn? We hit on 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:11.279 intake, but placement and capacity matter too. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:15.019 Multiple troughs spread out to reduce bullying. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.960 And enough space at each one. That 1 .5 to 2 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:20.420 inches per cow, yeah. And check the refill rates. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.799 Can they keep up when everyone wants a drink 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:25.410 at once? And clean them. Daily. Can't stress 00:19:25.410 --> 00:19:27.670 that enough. Also, think about water temperature. 00:19:28.109 --> 00:19:30.990 Exposed pipes in the sun can heat water up significantly. 00:19:31.470 --> 00:19:34.009 So maybe insulate or shade water lines. Worth 00:19:34.009 --> 00:19:35.930 looking into. Anything to keep that water cool 00:19:35.930 --> 00:19:39.349 and appealing. Small details, big impact on intake. 00:19:39.710 --> 00:19:42.430 Okay, we've covered cows, cooling, feed, facilities. 00:19:42.829 --> 00:19:45.029 What about the people, the farm team working 00:19:45.029 --> 00:19:47.910 in this heat? Great point. We absolutely cannot 00:19:47.910 --> 00:19:51.069 forget the human element. Keeping cows cool often 00:19:51.069 --> 00:19:53.490 means more work for people right when they're 00:19:53.490 --> 00:19:56.059 also stressed by the heat. So we need strategies 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.720 for the team, too. Definitely. Smart scheduling 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:02.180 is step one. Can demanding jobs be shifted to 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.220 cooler parts of the day? Early morning, late 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:06.859 evening. Whatever possible. If not, implement 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:08.940 more frequent breaks. Make sure those breaks 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:11.880 are in cool shaded spots. Rotate people through 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:14.880 the really tough tasks. Maybe even bring in extra 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.599 help during peak heat. Seriously consider it. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:20.839 And pay extra attention to new employees or people 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:23.259 just back from time off. They aren't acclimatized. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:26.079 Is there data on that? Yeah. OSHA data shows 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:29.099 a scary high number of heat illnesses and fatalities 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:31.140 happen to workers in their first few days on 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:33.759 a job or right after returning. Acclimatization 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:36.539 is real. We need to protect them. So scheduling 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:40.170 breaks acclimatization? What else? Water, water, 00:20:40.210 --> 00:20:43.410 water. Easy access to cool drinking water. Encourage 00:20:43.410 --> 00:20:45.769 them to drink before they feel thirsty. Provide 00:20:45.769 --> 00:20:48.190 shaded or air -conditioned rest areas. Absolutely 00:20:48.190 --> 00:20:50.829 essential. Encourage light -colored, loose clothing. 00:20:51.049 --> 00:20:54.049 And most importantly, training. Training on heat 00:20:54.049 --> 00:20:56.970 stress. Yes. Everyone, workers, supervisors, 00:20:57.089 --> 00:20:59.470 needs to know the risks, recognize the signs 00:20:59.470 --> 00:21:01.569 in themselves and others, know the prevention 00:21:01.569 --> 00:21:04.069 strategies, and know exactly what to do in an 00:21:04.069 --> 00:21:06.910 emergency. Like quick toolbox talks before shifts. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:10.460 Perfect idea. Reinforce it constantly. A heat 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:12.920 -stressed employee isn't just unsafe, they're 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:15.359 less effective, maybe less observant of the cows 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:18.559 too. Protecting the team is part of protecting 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:22.400 the herd. It all ties together. So the overarching 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:25.119 theme here seems to be that prevention just pays 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:28.059 way better than reacting after the fact. The 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.980 data couldn't be clearer on that. implementing 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:32.240 comprehensive preventative strategies gives a 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.440 much, much better return than just treating sick 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:36.880 cows or accepting lost milk. You mentioned some 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.819 figures earlier. Yeah, one analysis suggested 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:41.240 optimal abatement systems could cut the total 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:43.420 annual cost of heat struck by something like 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:46.680 40 % nationwide. 40 % reduction in cost, that's 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:49.339 huge. It is. Another study showed farms with 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:52.140 optimal cooling had about a 43 % lower total 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:55.240 cost that includes losses and mitigation costs 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:57.700 compared to farms doing nothing. So being proactive 00:21:57.700 --> 00:22:00.640 just makes overwhelming economic sense. Undeniably, 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:03.519 you're not just saving milk volume, you're preventing 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:06.839 that whole cascade. The repro issues, the health 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:10.920 problems, the potential early culling, the costs 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:13.579 just stack up. So why isn't it treated with the 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:17.160 same urgency as, say, preventing transition cow 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:19.400 diseases? That's the puzzle, isn't it? We have 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:22.519 protocols for ketosis, for DAs. We wouldn't just 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:24.779 accept high rates of those. Heat stress needs 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:27.319 that same preventative mindset. It's predictable 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:30.039 and largely preventable. Okay, so for listeners 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:32.420 who are nodding along saying, okay, I'm convinced 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:35.279 I need to do more, what's the action plan? Where 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.299 do they start for maximum impact? Right, let's 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:39.799 prioritize. Number one, the absolute non -negotiables. 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:42.599 Universal shade for all animals and abundant, 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:45.700 clean, cool, accessible water. These are basic 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.619 welfare foundations. Start there. What's next? 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:49.920 Target your intensive cooling efforts. Hit the 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.299 high priority zones. The parlor holding pen, 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:55.559 definitely. The feed bunk area. And the dry cows 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:57.799 all the way through the dry period. And ensure 00:22:57.799 --> 00:23:00.519 good airflow over resting stalls. So focus the 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:02.559 heavy artillery where it counts most. Third, 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:06.059 nutrition. Get serious about a heat stress specific 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:09.480 ration. Energy density, the right fiber, appropriate 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:13.019 protein, buffers, electrolytes, maybe targeted 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.740 additives if needed. Don't just tweak the winter 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:18.359 ration. Reformulate properly for summer. Got 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:22.640 it. And finally, management and monitoring. Adjust 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:25.599 routines less handling in the heat. Use low stress 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:28.420 techniques. Regularly monitor cows and people 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:31.319 for heat stress signs. And critically, keep your 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:33.960 cooling equipment maintained. Fans work better 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:37.240 clean. Sprinklers work better unclogged. Makes 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:39.059 sense. Check the systems are actually doing what 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.160 they're supposed to do. So it's environment, 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.299 nutrition, management all working together. Exactly. 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:44.920 It's a holistic approach. And it really represents 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:47.339 a shift we need to make. How so? Heat stress 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:49.680 isn't just a southern problem anymore. With climate 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.359 change, it's a growing challenge everywhere. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:54.559 The old way reacting to milk drops with a few 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:57.099 fans just isn't enough to stay profitable and 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:59.579 keep cows performing well. The new paradigm is 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:02.119 comprehensive prevention. That's where success 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:05.339 lies in managing summer heat going forward. If 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.920 you stick with partial solutions, you're basically 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.940 guaranteeing you'll leave profit on the table. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:13.039 It's that simple. So as we wrap this up, The 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:15.160 real questions for you listening are pretty direct. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:18.900 First, what concrete changes are you going to 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:21.460 implement before the heat really hits this season? 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:24.640 And maybe more pointedly, how much longer can 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.920 your dairy really afford to treat heat stress 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:30.480 like it's just some unavoidable seasonal annoyance 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:33.319 instead of the major preventable economic drain 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:35.980 the evidence shows it is? The key takeaways seem 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:38.789 clear. Prevention pays far better than reaction. 00:24:39.109 --> 00:24:41.710 There are huge hidden costs beyond just milk 00:24:41.710 --> 00:24:44.950 volume. Don't ignore the dry cows, target your 00:24:44.950 --> 00:24:47.029 cooling efforts, and get the nutrition right. 00:24:47.250 --> 00:24:49.730 Proactive heat abatement isn't an expense, it's 00:24:49.730 --> 00:24:52.410 profit protection. It's investing in the resilience 00:24:52.410 --> 00:24:54.869 and success of your business. Thanks for joining 00:24:54.869 --> 00:24:57.829 us on the Bullvine Podcast. If this episode lit 00:24:57.829 --> 00:25:00.349 a fire under your heat abatement strategy, hit 00:25:00.349 --> 00:25:02.329 subscribe and share it with the producer who's 00:25:02.329 --> 00:25:04.930 still using a handheld thermometer. Want the 00:25:04.930 --> 00:25:07.579 full breakdown? Head to thebullvine .com for 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:09.819 our summer heat survival guide, complete with 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:12.900 ROI calculators and a cooling system cheat sheet. 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:17.380 Until next time, stop reacting, start preventing. 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:20.559 Your bottom line can't afford another scorched 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:23.259 summer. Stay bold, stay profitable.