WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:03.039 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:06.719 where we deliver hard -hitting analysis and unapologetic 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:08.879 truth -telling for dairy industry professionals. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:12.500 I'm your host, and today we're diving deep into 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:14.859 a topic that's costing dairy producers billions 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:17.819 of dollars every year, heat stress management. 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:22.459 With summer 2025 approaching fast, we're not 00:01:22.459 --> 00:01:24.780 here to waste your time with basic advice about 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:28.790 providing shade and water. Instead, We're exposing 00:01:28.790 --> 00:01:31.549 why your current cooling strategy is likely leaving 00:01:31.549 --> 00:01:34.849 money on the table and revealing the advanced 00:01:34.849 --> 00:01:38.609 technologies, genetic tools, and integrated strategies 00:01:38.609 --> 00:01:41.090 that forward -thinking producers are using right 00:01:41.090 --> 00:01:44.189 now to protect their herds and their bottom line. 00:01:44.870 --> 00:01:47.269 If you've been accepting summer production drops 00:01:47.269 --> 00:01:50.390 as inevitable, or if you think those old panel 00:01:50.390 --> 00:01:53.049 fans from 15 years ago are still cutting it, 00:01:53.310 --> 00:01:56.049 this episode is going to challenge everything 00:01:56.049 --> 00:01:58.700 you thought you knew. about heat stress management 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:02.879 we're talking intelligent soaking systems that 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.540 slash water use by 70 percent genetic selection 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:09.419 for heat tolerant cows that maintain milk production 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:12.360 when others can't and smart monitoring systems 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:15.139 that detect problems before they cost you money 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:19.280 the uncomfortable truth while you're fine -tuning 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:22.020 your genetic selection program and debating feed 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:24.520 additives your cows might be suffering from heat 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:26.360 stress that's negating all those investments 00:02:27.370 --> 00:02:29.949 Today, we're changing that. Let's get started. 00:02:30.969 --> 00:02:33.710 Welcome to this deep dive. Look, summer's coming. 00:02:33.949 --> 00:02:36.610 And if you're in dairy, you know exactly what 00:02:36.610 --> 00:02:39.569 that means for your cows and your bottom line, 00:02:39.710 --> 00:02:43.289 heat stress. But what if the way we've always 00:02:43.289 --> 00:02:45.810 handled it just isn't enough anymore? That's 00:02:45.810 --> 00:02:47.490 really the core question we're tackling today, 00:02:47.610 --> 00:02:51.080 isn't it? We're digging into why the... let's 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:53.240 say traditional approaches to cooling cows are 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:55.780 falling behind. Right. And exploring the kind 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:58.740 of advanced integrated strategies that, you know, 00:02:58.740 --> 00:03:01.360 top producers are adopting right now. It's really 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:03.439 about getting ahead of heat stress before it 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.370 costs you big money. And our source material 00:03:05.370 --> 00:03:09.069 for this dive, it's a sharp piece from www .thebullvine 00:03:09.069 --> 00:03:13.490 .com. The title is Heat Stress 2 .0. Why your 00:03:13.490 --> 00:03:15.849 current cooling strategy is costing you big money. 00:03:16.330 --> 00:03:18.310 It's less about the basics you already know, 00:03:18.469 --> 00:03:20.409 shade and water and all that, and more about 00:03:20.409 --> 00:03:22.789 the, well, the cutting edge stuff. Precisely. 00:03:22.810 --> 00:03:25.330 Our mission here is to pull out the key insights 00:03:25.330 --> 00:03:28.009 from this Bullvine article. Not just the problem, 00:03:28.129 --> 00:03:30.349 which we all know is bad, but the modern solutions. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:33.599 Things involving smart tech in the barn, genetics, 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:36.460 nutrition. And the economics. Can't forget that. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:39.639 Absolutely. Yeah. And crucially, the real economic 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:43.039 impact that drives the need for change. Okay, 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:44.719 so let's unpack what this article underscores 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:46.680 right off the bat. Summers are hotter, they're 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:49.840 longer, that seems... Undeniable. And those standard 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.020 fans and sprinklers many of us rely on. The article 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:55.360 argues they simply aren't cutting it for today's 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.560 high -producing Holsteins. They even pointed 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:00.419 out that 2024 saw heat stress losses hit record 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:03.120 highs. That feels about right, doesn't it? It 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:05.139 really does. And the numbers they present are, 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:08.379 well, they're pretty stark. This piece estimates 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.699 the U .S. dairy industry is losing around $1 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:14.620 .5 billion annually. just from heat stress and 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:17.740 lactating cows. Oh, $1 .5 billion. But what really 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:19.740 jumped out at me was how much it varies farm 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:22.000 to farm. I mean, we're talking losses from maybe 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:25.300 $72 a cow in cooler places, Wisconsin, for example. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:29.720 Okay. Exploding to a staggering $700 a cow in 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:33.300 hotter climates like Florida or Texas. $700 per 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:36.000 cow. Per cow. That kind of spread just demands 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.180 a closer look at why some farms are weathering 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:40.699 it so much better than others. Yeah, $700 a cow 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.939 isn't just inconvenient. That's crippling for 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:45.379 a business. And the article makes it clear it's 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:48.019 way more than just the milk loss today. Absolutely. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:49.899 They dive deep into what they call the hidden 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:52.240 costs. It's not just the immediate dip in the 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.259 tank, right? Right. Heat stress hammers reproduction. 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:57.399 Reduced conception rates are huge. You see more 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:59.860 metabolic disorders post calving, compromised 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:02.000 immune function leading to all sorts of other 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.040 health issues. And then there's this concept 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:07.100 they introduced, the legacy effect. Ah, yes, 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.379 the legacy effect. Explain that a bit more. Well, 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:12.360 the idea is that heat stress on your dry cows 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:15.019 has this lasting impact. It actually results 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:18.199 in offspring, their calves, having permanently 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:20.519 reduced productive potential. So it affects the 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:22.639 next generation. Exactly. It's like running a 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:25.860 poor heifer raising program, but the damage starts 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:29.019 in utero or during that crucial dry period. It 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:30.959 basically handicaps the next generation before 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:33.319 they even hit the milking string. It's a tough 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.500 truth, but it forces you to think really long 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:38.610 term. It really does. And the article poses, 00:05:38.709 --> 00:05:41.189 well, a pretty challenging question based on 00:05:41.189 --> 00:05:43.370 this. Are the big dollars you're spending on 00:05:43.370 --> 00:05:45.629 top tier genetics or maybe that expensive new 00:05:45.629 --> 00:05:47.730 feed additive? Yeah. Are they being completely 00:05:47.730 --> 00:05:50.569 undermined by heat stress? How many AI services 00:05:50.569 --> 00:05:52.550 are essentially wasted because cows are just 00:05:52.550 --> 00:05:54.930 too hot to conceive? How much of that carefully 00:05:54.930 --> 00:05:58.449 balanced TMR is going uneaten? Exactly. You're 00:05:58.449 --> 00:06:00.589 optimizing all these inputs, spending serious 00:06:00.589 --> 00:06:03.069 money on the latest advancements. But if the 00:06:03.069 --> 00:06:06.209 cow's environment isn't managed properly. A significant 00:06:06.209 --> 00:06:09.269 chunk of that investment is just, well, it's 00:06:09.269 --> 00:06:11.689 evaporating. The authors are very clear. They 00:06:11.689 --> 00:06:13.610 aren't spending time on the basics like shade 00:06:13.610 --> 00:06:16.269 and water access. They assume you've got that 00:06:16.269 --> 00:06:18.790 handled. They're focused squarely on the advanced 00:06:18.790 --> 00:06:22.069 integrated strategies that actually deliver a 00:06:22.069 --> 00:06:24.009 return on investment. Which leads us straight 00:06:24.009 --> 00:06:26.829 into the revolution in cooling technology. The 00:06:26.829 --> 00:06:28.750 bullvine piece is pretty blunt here, isn't it? 00:06:28.769 --> 00:06:32.149 Those classic 36 -inch panel fans, maybe 15 years 00:06:32.149 --> 00:06:35.740 old. They just weren't. design for the modern 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:38.100 high output cow we have today. They make the 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:40.800 point that the tech on some farms might be about 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:43.259 as effective as like trying to cool a barn with 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:46.620 a household fan or leaving a freezer door open. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.240 Ouch. Yeah. But probably true for quite a few 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:53.040 operations. The article identifies several critical 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.620 flaws in those older systems. You get inconsistent 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:57.959 airflow, creating dead zones where cows get no 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:02.040 relief. Right. You get wasted water and increased 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:04.620 mastitis risk from outdated soaker controls that 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:07.120 just run on timers. Inefficient fans driving 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:10.160 up electricity bills. And crucially, major blind 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:12.470 spots where cooling is lacking. Particularly, 00:07:12.529 --> 00:07:14.709 they point out, in the holding pen. Ah, the holding 00:07:14.709 --> 00:07:16.810 pen. We'll come back to that. So what does next 00:07:16.810 --> 00:07:18.889 -gen cooling actually look like, according to 00:07:18.889 --> 00:07:20.870 this piece? They highlight intelligent soaking 00:07:20.870 --> 00:07:23.470 systems first. Yeah, this is a significant leap. 00:07:23.610 --> 00:07:26.490 Systems like the VES Artex Intelligent Soaker 00:07:26.490 --> 00:07:28.550 2 .0, which the article mentions specifically, 00:07:28.810 --> 00:07:31.550 move away from simple timers. They use sensors. 00:07:31.769 --> 00:07:34.029 So they know when cows are actually there and 00:07:34.029 --> 00:07:36.519 what the real temperature threshold is. This 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:38.699 allows for precision cycling, maybe a short soak, 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:41.899 30, 45 seconds, then a longer fan -only drying 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:44.800 period, like four or five minutes, that maximizes 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:46.939 the evaporative cooling effect. And the big payoff 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:49.759 there is less water use, I assume? Oh, a massive 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:51.959 reduction. The article suggests you could cut 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:55.839 water usage by 50, maybe even 70 percent compared 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:58.279 to those old timer -based systems. Wow. Plus, 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:01.000 you get less wet bedding, which means less mastitis 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.180 risk. It's like they said, it brings the kind 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:06.019 of precision you see in robotic milking to cooling, 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:08.899 delivering the resource exactly when and where 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:11.199 it's needed, not just blasting water based on 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:13.339 the clock. Okay, beyond just soaking, what about 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:15.439 air movement itself? They talk about redesigning 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.639 ventilation tunnel and cross ventilation. Right, 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.800 so tunnel ventilation is all about creating high 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:23.240 -speed airflow, pushing air at, say, 1 .0 to 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.420 2 .5 meters per second down the length of the 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:28.420 barn. That sounds fast. It is. and that generates 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:31.279 a significant wind chill effect. The article 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:34.340 notes, an air speed of 400 feet per minute can 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:37.100 lower the perceived temperature by over 3 .7 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:41.379 degrees Celsius. That's real relief. Cross ventilation 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:44.440 then is directing that high speed air perpendicular 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:47.000 to the feed lane so it runs parallel to the stalls. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.620 Cooling cows better where they're actually lying 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:51.980 down and resting. Makes sense. And they referenced 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:54.120 a University of Wisconsin study showing respiratory 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.840 illnesses were halved in cross ventilated barns 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:59.019 compared to naturally ventilated ones. That's 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:00.779 a pretty direct health benefit. And it sounds 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:02.559 like the controllers managing all this are getting 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.500 smarter, too, not just the fans and soakers. 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:07.100 Oh, absolutely essential now. The article really 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.480 stresses that smart controllers aren't, like, 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:12.379 optional anymore. Using variable frequency drives, 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:15.759 VFDs. Ah, the variable speed drives? Exactly. 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:18.960 The fans aren't just on or off. Their speed adjusts 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:21.820 gradually based on real -time data from multiple 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:24.039 sensors and, you know, sophisticated algorithms. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.730 So it optimizes everything. Right. optimizes 00:09:26.730 --> 00:09:29.049 the cooling power while minimizing resource use 00:09:29.049 --> 00:09:31.549 water and electricity. They mentioned a California 00:09:31.549 --> 00:09:33.549 study showing these optimized controllers cut 00:09:33.549 --> 00:09:37.070 electricity use by 28 % annually compared to 00:09:37.070 --> 00:09:39.850 old thermostat setups. It's like, you know, managing 00:09:39.850 --> 00:09:42.309 your TMR mix with precision scales versus just 00:09:42.309 --> 00:09:44.190 guessing with a shovel. Okay, the text sounds 00:09:44.190 --> 00:09:46.049 impressive, but it always comes down to the bottom 00:09:46.049 --> 00:09:49.029 line, the ROI. The article makes a pretty bold 00:09:49.029 --> 00:09:51.649 claim here, suggesting cooling might offer a 00:09:51.649 --> 00:09:53.870 higher return than some genomic testing programs. 00:09:54.549 --> 00:09:56.470 That's going to raise some eyebrows, I bet. It's 00:09:56.470 --> 00:09:58.350 definitely meant to make you think. But when 00:09:58.350 --> 00:10:00.330 you look at the numbers they cite, it's compelling. 00:10:00.769 --> 00:10:02.789 Cooling dry cows, for instance, consistently 00:10:02.789 --> 00:10:06.509 shows favorable economics. They put a 5 .67 year 00:10:06.509 --> 00:10:10.450 payback and a 1 .45 benefit cost ratio on it. 00:10:10.529 --> 00:10:14.009 Wow. Profitable even at $13 .50 milk, they say, 00:10:14.149 --> 00:10:16.870 for farms with over 100 heat stress days a year. 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.200 And the piece suggests tunnel ventilation can 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.000 justify an extra investment of up to $332 per 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.019 cow space just based on preventing those milk 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:26.299 losses alone. And even the specific type of fan 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:29.000 you buy matters that much. It's pivotal, according 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:31.820 to the article. An inefficient fan can nearly 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:34.659 double the system's operating cost over its lifespan. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:38.340 They basically say choosing the right fan is 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:40.279 as critical a decision as selecting the right 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:42.960 genetics for your herd's future. That really 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.139 puts it in perspective. It does. They also give 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:47.580 some practical advice based on farm size, right? 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:49.980 It's not one size fits all. Exactly. They tailor 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:53.299 it a bit. For smaller operations, maybe tie stalls. 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:56.299 It's about being targeted. Individual cow fans, 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:59.960 feed line soakers, maybe positive pressure tubes 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:03.200 in some cases. Medium -sized freestyle farms 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:05.759 should look at integrated fan and soaker systems, 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.200 maybe enhancing natural ventilation there possible, 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:11.519 and crucially, prioritizing dry cow cooling early 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.559 on because of that strong ROI and the legacy 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:15.559 effect we talked about. Right, that legacy effect. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.539 And then for large farms, you can really explore 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:20.159 the full mechanical systems tunnel or cross vent, 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:23.080 definitely with smart VFD controls, comprehensive... 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:25.399 of monitoring, maybe evaporative pads if the 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:27.580 climate is right, like in arid regions. Okay, 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:30.179 facilities covered for now, but this article 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:33.600 calls the holding pen the industry's dirty secret. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.679 That's a strong phrase. What exactly do they 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:38.759 mean by that? They mean it's consistently the 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:41.419 hottest spot on most dairies, period. And it 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:44.340 gets the least investment in cooling, generally 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:47.720 speaking. Think about it. You gather cows, often 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:49.759 tightly packed, in a confined building right 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.480 before milking, often with just terrible ventilation, 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:56.940 if any. They highlight the impact. A cow's core 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:59.139 body temperature can spike 3 degrees Fahrenheit 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.879 in just 20 minutes in a poorly cooled holding 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:04.519 pen. 3 degrees F in 20 minutes. After you've 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.259 maybe just spent money trying to keep them cool 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:08.679 in the barn, that seems completely counterproductive. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:11.340 It totally undoes your efforts. Right before 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.500 a potentially stressful activity like milking, 00:12:13.769 --> 00:12:15.730 The authors seem baffled, frankly, that holding 00:12:15.730 --> 00:12:18.289 pen cooling often shows the fastest and highest 00:12:18.289 --> 00:12:20.730 ROI of almost any heat abatement strategy. And 00:12:20.730 --> 00:12:23.230 yet… And yet farms chronically underinvest there. 00:12:23.269 --> 00:12:24.850 They put it right to you, the listener. Are you 00:12:24.850 --> 00:12:27.090 one of them? Is your holding pen undoing your 00:12:27.090 --> 00:12:29.370 other cooling efforts? So what are the simple 00:12:29.370 --> 00:12:31.509 high -impact fixes they recommend for the holding 00:12:31.509 --> 00:12:34.879 pen specifically? It boils down to massive airflow 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:37.799 and effective soaking. They talk about high -capacity 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:41.500 fans providing over 1 ,000 CF meters per cow. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:45.059 That's a lot of air. Soaker's designed with large 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.360 water droplets and overlapping spray patterns, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:50.000 so you really soak the cows effectively, not 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:52.519 just mist them. Open sidewalls, they suggest 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.759 over 60 % open if possible to maximize natural 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:58.179 airflow when the fans aren't running full tilt. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:01.360 And just managing cow flow to minimize the time 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:03.539 they spend standing packed in that pen. Their 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:05.840 message on this seems particularly urgent in 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.740 the article. It really is. They make it a key 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:10.740 action point. If you do absolutely nothing else 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:13.679 before summer 2025 hits, upgrade your holding 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:16.259 pen cooling. They're pretty confident your cows 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:18.639 and your milk check will show you the return 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:21.279 almost immediately. Okay, let's shift gears a 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:23.200 bit. Let's talk nutrition. The article touches 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:25.080 on navigating all those different feed rep pitches 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:27.759 and focusing on what actually has a proven impact 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.659 during heat stress. Right, because heat stress 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:33.519 fundamentally alters how a cow functions internally. 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:36.259 It reduces her dry matter intake, it can mess 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:38.519 with rumen health, and it increases her maintenance 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:41.500 energy needs just to try and stay cool. So nutrition 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:44.179 has to adapt. Exactly. Nutrition plays a vital 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:46.820 role in counteracting that. But you need strategies 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:49.720 that are actually backed by solid science, not 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:52.139 just marketing hype. What specific additives 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:54.340 or strategies does the bullvine piece endorse 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:57.200 them? They mention a few key ones. Osmolites, 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:59.519 sometimes called osmoprotectants, things like 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:02.539 betaine or trimethylglycine. Okay. They state 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:04.139 this isn't just a sales pitch. It's supported 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:07.340 by research. They reference a 2024 Journal of 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:09.899 Dairy Science meta -analysis and recommend about 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:13.360 15 grams per day. The idea is it helps cows retain 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.860 water better and partition energy more efficiently, 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:19.019 which improves milk yield in the heat. Interesting. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.960 What about yeast cultures? Those are pretty common. 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:23.779 Yeah, but they emphasize specific strains of 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:27.039 Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The article explains 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:29.340 these select strains help stabilize rumen pH, 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:32.139 which often tanks during heat stress, leading 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:35.299 to sera. subacute ruminal acidosis. They also 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:37.679 support the good fiber -digesting bugs in the 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:40.480 rumen and bolster the immune system. They even 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:43.259 point to a 2025 Journal of Animal Science study 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:46.279 showing certain strains actually decreased cow 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:49.039 body temp and respiratory rate while improving 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:51.379 performance by influencing energy metabolism. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:54.220 Pretty specific benefits. Electrolytes seem like 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.159 a no -brainer, but what's the specific angle 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.399 they take? Yeah, obviously heat stress causes 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:01.879 cows to lose more potassium K and sodium A through 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:04.070 sweat and panting. The piece recommends boosting 00:15:04.070 --> 00:15:07.350 dietary K to maybe 1 .5, 1 .8 % of dry matter 00:15:07.350 --> 00:15:11.570 and NA to 0 .50 % in hot weather diets. Okay. 00:15:11.750 --> 00:15:14.370 But they stress focusing on overall DCAD management, 00:15:14.610 --> 00:15:17.289 the dietary K shenanian difference. Basically, 00:15:17.389 --> 00:15:20.129 aiming for a more positive DCAD in the diet helps 00:15:20.129 --> 00:15:22.409 buffer the cow's system, counteracting the metabolic 00:15:22.409 --> 00:15:24.370 acidosis that can happen with heavy panting. 00:15:24.710 --> 00:15:27.009 This, in turn, helps improve dry matter intake 00:15:27.009 --> 00:15:29.710 and milk yield. They kind of describe DCAD as 00:15:29.710 --> 00:15:31.950 the pH balancer for the cow's whole system during 00:15:31.950 --> 00:15:34.019 heat. And with cows eating less, getting enough 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:36.740 energy in them is crucial. Exactly. Since DMI 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.159 drops, you need to pack more energy into every 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:42.360 single bite she takes. The article suggests adding 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:45.600 rumen -protected fats, maybe 3 -5 % protected 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:48.200 fat in the diet, to increase energy density. 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:51.860 The key is that these fats provide energy without 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:54.500 generating as much metabolic heat during digestion 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:58.100 as large amounts of carbs or protein would, and 00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:00.799 crucially, without disrupting normal rumen function. 00:16:01.389 --> 00:16:04.110 Now, the article throws a bit of a jab at nutritionists, 00:16:04.129 --> 00:16:06.070 doesn't it? Asking about proactive planning. 00:16:06.389 --> 00:16:09.370 It does, yeah. It asks pretty pointedly, when 00:16:09.370 --> 00:16:11.490 was the last time your nutritionist presented 00:16:11.490 --> 00:16:14.070 a comprehensive summer heat stress feeding program? 00:16:14.429 --> 00:16:17.639 Back in February. Good point. The point isn't 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.500 really to blame the nutritionist, I don't think, 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:22.080 but to emphasize that these strategies need to 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.899 be planned and implemented before the severe 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:26.399 heat stress actually hits, not as a reaction 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:28.379 after intake has already dropped. Right. It's 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.799 like, you know, waiting until your corn crop 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:31.519 is completely wilted before you even think about 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:33.580 turning on the irrigation. It's too late then 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:35.919 to maximize the benefit. And importantly, nutrition 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:39.350 isn't a standalone fix, is it? Not at all. The 00:16:39.350 --> 00:16:41.830 article strongly makes the point that these nutritional 00:16:41.830 --> 00:16:44.549 strategies are most effective when they're part 00:16:44.549 --> 00:16:46.970 of an integrated approach, working hand in hand 00:16:46.970 --> 00:16:49.330 with effective cooling systems. You really need 00:16:49.330 --> 00:16:52.250 both. It's like needing good genetics and good 00:16:52.250 --> 00:16:54.929 management to get top production. You need good 00:16:54.929 --> 00:16:57.330 nutrition and a good environment to effectively 00:16:57.330 --> 00:17:00.450 combat heat stress. One without the other is 00:17:00.450 --> 00:17:02.730 leaving performance on the table. Okay, let's 00:17:02.730 --> 00:17:05.150 shift to maybe the most forward -thinking area 00:17:05.150 --> 00:17:09.470 they touch on. Genetics. Breeding for a cooler 00:17:09.470 --> 00:17:11.990 or at least a warmer future. Yeah, this really 00:17:11.990 --> 00:17:14.250 acknowledges the reality of climate change, doesn't 00:17:14.250 --> 00:17:16.470 it? While pushing production is always going 00:17:16.470 --> 00:17:19.029 to be key, the article argues that forward -thinking 00:17:19.029 --> 00:17:21.529 dairies, guided by this kind of information, 00:17:21.890 --> 00:17:24.210 are starting to consciously incorporate heat 00:17:24.210 --> 00:17:26.990 tolerance into their breeding goals. Our goals 00:17:26.990 --> 00:17:29.029 need to evolve with the climate. And the slick 00:17:29.029 --> 00:17:31.029 gene seems to be the main example of this right 00:17:31.029 --> 00:17:33.230 now. It's certainly the most tangible example 00:17:33.230 --> 00:17:35.569 they highlight. It's a dominant mutation in the 00:17:35.569 --> 00:17:38.529 prolactin receptor gene. And the result is a 00:17:38.529 --> 00:17:42.450 very short, sleek, shiny hair coat. And the key 00:17:42.450 --> 00:17:44.769 point the authors make is that this isn't some 00:17:44.769 --> 00:17:47.970 futuristic genetic dream. It's commercially available 00:17:47.970 --> 00:17:51.170 today. You can buy semen from slick bowls. Okay, 00:17:51.230 --> 00:17:53.329 so what kind of actual impact does the slick 00:17:53.329 --> 00:17:55.569 coat have? Well, carriers of the gene consistently 00:17:55.569 --> 00:17:58.309 maintain a lower core body temperature in hot 00:17:58.309 --> 00:18:01.529 conditions. The article says around 1 .1 degrees 00:18:01.529 --> 00:18:03.990 Fahrenheit lower. That's significant. It is. 00:18:04.069 --> 00:18:06.170 And they reference University of Florida research 00:18:06.170 --> 00:18:08.849 showing slick cows producing about 10 pounds 00:18:08.849 --> 00:18:11.529 more milk per day during the hot summer months 00:18:11.529 --> 00:18:14.349 compared to their non -slick herd mates in the 00:18:14.349 --> 00:18:16.750 same environment. 10 pounds a day, just from 00:18:16.750 --> 00:18:18.549 the coat. Seems like it makes a big difference. 00:18:18.710 --> 00:18:20.750 And they note that companies like Select Sires 00:18:20.750 --> 00:18:23.630 were offering heterozygous Holstein sires carrying 00:18:23.630 --> 00:18:26.309 the allele way back in 2021. So it's been out 00:18:26.309 --> 00:18:28.640 there. Are there real -world farm examples cited 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.900 in the article? Yes. They mention a producer, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:33.720 Rafael Lopez Lopez in Puerto Rico, who's recorded 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:36.579 really significant benefits, over 1 ,800 pounds 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:39.480 more milk per lactation, plus improved reproductive 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:42.759 efficiency with his S -L -I -C -K Holsteins. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.880 Yeah. And farmers in the southern U .S. states 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:47.279 are apparently seeing these cows visibly appear 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:49.880 more comfortable and just holding their production 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:52.099 better than their conventionally coated herd 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:54.769 mates during heat waves. The article kind of 00:18:54.769 --> 00:18:56.569 compares it to finding a pole gene that also 00:18:56.569 --> 00:18:58.390 boosts production. It's a major win -win if it 00:18:58.390 --> 00:19:01.230 fits your system. Beyond just this single slick 00:19:01.230 --> 00:19:04.509 gene, is there a broader genomic approach to 00:19:04.509 --> 00:19:07.789 heat tolerance mentioned? Yes, absolutely. Genomic 00:19:07.789 --> 00:19:10.190 selection for heat tolerance is developing. The 00:19:10.190 --> 00:19:12.190 article notes that Australia has actually had 00:19:12.190 --> 00:19:14.970 genomic breeding values, or BVs, specifically 00:19:14.970 --> 00:19:17.630 for heat tolerance since 2017. Really? How do 00:19:17.630 --> 00:19:20.109 those work? These BVs essentially capture how 00:19:20.109 --> 00:19:22.690 much an individual cow's milk production is predicted 00:19:22.690 --> 00:19:25.589 to decline as the ambient temperature and humidity 00:19:25.589 --> 00:19:28.170 increase. The heritability is estimated around 00:19:28.170 --> 00:19:31.130 0 .13 to 0 .17, which is definitely high enough 00:19:31.130 --> 00:19:33.309 to make meaningful genetic progress through selection 00:19:33.309 --> 00:19:35.430 over generations. They also point out something 00:19:35.430 --> 00:19:38.490 interesting. Fertility traits actually show increased 00:19:38.490 --> 00:19:41.890 heritability during heat stress. which suggests 00:19:41.890 --> 00:19:44.490 that breeding specifically for reproductive efficiency 00:19:44.490 --> 00:19:47.569 in warm conditions could be a very effective 00:19:47.569 --> 00:19:51.309 strategy. So for a producer listening, how do 00:19:51.309 --> 00:19:53.650 they start actually incorporating this into their 00:19:53.650 --> 00:19:56.430 breeding program? Well, the article's advice 00:19:56.430 --> 00:19:58.769 is really about balance selection. You need to 00:19:58.769 --> 00:20:01.849 consider your specific situation. Your current 00:20:01.849 --> 00:20:04.630 climate, sure, but also the projected future 00:20:04.630 --> 00:20:07.210 climate for your area. Look at your existing 00:20:07.210 --> 00:20:09.650 barn infrastructure. How much can cooling mitigate 00:20:09.650 --> 00:20:11.970 things? And what's the actual economic value 00:20:11.970 --> 00:20:14.390 heat tolerance has on your farm's bottom line? 00:20:14.509 --> 00:20:17.170 Then talk to your genetics providers. Ask them 00:20:17.170 --> 00:20:19.529 specifically about heat tolerance traits. Ask 00:20:19.529 --> 00:20:22.650 about SICK carriers. If they can't give you concrete 00:20:22.650 --> 00:20:25.250 information or data, maybe it's time to explore 00:20:25.250 --> 00:20:28.009 other options or push them for it. The authors 00:20:28.009 --> 00:20:30.710 frame it kind of like this. You would base your 00:20:30.710 --> 00:20:33.109 herd health decisions on advice from the 1980s, 00:20:33.109 --> 00:20:35.109 right? Hopefully, yeah. So don't ignore climate 00:20:35.109 --> 00:20:37.170 adaptation in your breeding decisions for the 00:20:37.170 --> 00:20:39.769 next decade and beyond. It's becoming that important. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.480 That makes a lot of sense. Okay, moving on to 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.579 another layer of technology, smart monitoring. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:47.819 Using tech to detect heat stress before you see 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:50.160 those obvious signs like house panting or a big 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:52.279 drop in the tank. Yeah, this is all about that 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:54.880 shift from reactive to proactive management that 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:57.740 the article really advocates for. Relying on 00:20:57.740 --> 00:21:00.519 just your eyeball test isn't really enough anymore. 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:03.059 By the time you see visible signs of heat stress, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:05.480 you've already lost money and the cow has likely 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:08.299 suffered some physiological damage. These smart 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:10.940 systems can pick up subtle changes days earlier. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:13.039 So what kind of tools are we actually talking 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:15.799 about here? Rumin boluses are a big one they 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:18.319 mention. These sit in the rumen and continuously 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:20.920 measure core body temperature, which is probably 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:23.779 the most critical single indicator of heat stress. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:27.460 Okay. The article references a 2024 Jay Dairy 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.619 Science study showing milk productivity started 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:32.940 to drop when rumen temps went above 39 .15 Celsius. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:36.559 That's about 102 .5 Fahrenheit. Boluses give 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:38.099 you that kind of critical information in real 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:40.289 time. They can also track rumination, sometimes 00:21:40.289 --> 00:21:43.230 water intake, maybe even rumen pH or heart rate, 00:21:43.269 --> 00:21:45.150 depending on the bolus. And then there's wearable 00:21:45.150 --> 00:21:48.630 tech too, right? Collars, tags. Exactly. Collars, 00:21:48.630 --> 00:21:52.529 ear tags, leg bands. These primarily track behavioral 00:21:52.529 --> 00:21:56.230 changes. We know cows under heat stress reduce 00:21:56.230 --> 00:21:59.170 their rumination time. They lie down, lest they 00:21:59.170 --> 00:22:01.829 stand more to try and dissipate heat. Their overall 00:22:01.829 --> 00:22:03.769 activity changes. Sometimes you can pick up skin 00:22:03.769 --> 00:22:06.369 temperature shifts. These behaviors often change 00:22:06.369 --> 00:22:08.730 before you see a drop in milk yield. And I guess 00:22:08.730 --> 00:22:11.109 automated milk data provides clues, too, even 00:22:11.109 --> 00:22:13.150 if it's later. Yeah, the article calls it a bit 00:22:13.150 --> 00:22:15.250 of a lagging indicator, but still useful information, 00:22:15.549 --> 00:22:18.089 absolutely. You'll see the decreased yield eventually, 00:22:18.269 --> 00:22:20.829 maybe changes in milk composition like milk fat 00:22:20.829 --> 00:22:23.549 depression, sometimes an increase in milk conductivity 00:22:23.549 --> 00:22:26.750 or somatic cell count, as stress impacts udder 00:22:26.750 --> 00:22:29.089 health. But the key, as always with data, is 00:22:29.089 --> 00:22:30.930 what you do with it, right? It's not just about 00:22:30.930 --> 00:22:33.029 having the alerts. Absolutely. Critical point. 00:22:33.130 --> 00:22:35.529 An effective system doesn't just generate alerts. 00:22:35.750 --> 00:22:38.650 Those alerts should trigger specific predefined 00:22:38.650 --> 00:22:41.430 actions or protocols on the farm. The article 00:22:41.430 --> 00:22:44.630 suggests having a tiered approach, maybe mild, 00:22:44.829 --> 00:22:47.630 moderate, and severe heat stress alerts, each 00:22:47.630 --> 00:22:49.809 with corresponding protocols. Like what? Well, 00:22:49.869 --> 00:22:53.029 a mild alert might trigger someone to just verify 00:22:53.029 --> 00:22:56.049 barn conditions are optimal, check fans and soakers. 00:22:56.670 --> 00:22:59.529 A moderate alert might mean maximizing all cooling 00:22:59.529 --> 00:23:02.329 systems, maybe making specific dietary adjustments, 00:23:02.690 --> 00:23:05.289 ensuring constant feed push -up and water availability. 00:23:05.750 --> 00:23:09.170 A severe alert could involve minimizing all stressful 00:23:09.170 --> 00:23:12.089 handling, prioritizing cooling for the most vulnerable 00:23:12.089 --> 00:23:15.430 groups, maybe even implementing emergency nutrition 00:23:15.430 --> 00:23:18.170 strategies. They use the analogy of milking system 00:23:18.170 --> 00:23:20.289 warning lights to get an alert so you can act 00:23:20.289 --> 00:23:22.390 before there's a major breakdown or loss. Okay, 00:23:22.450 --> 00:23:24.380 so we've covered a lot of ground. technology 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:27.180 in the barn, the crucial holding pen, specific 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:29.180 nutrition strategies, forward -looking genetics, 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:32.420 and smart monitoring. But the Bolivine article 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:34.519 argues the biggest mistake producers make is 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.640 tackling these things individually, in isolation. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:39.720 The real key is integration. This is arguably 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:42.500 the central message of the whole piece. A piecemeal 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:45.039 approach, just adding a few fans here or a feed 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.220 additive there, is inefficient. It doesn't maximize 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:50.400 your effectiveness or your return on investment. 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:53.470 You could have the absolute best cooling system 00:23:53.470 --> 00:23:56.130 in the world. But if your nutrition program isn't 00:23:56.130 --> 00:23:58.670 adjusted correctly for heat stress, you're still 00:23:58.670 --> 00:24:01.329 leaving milk and components on the table and 00:24:01.329 --> 00:24:04.450 probably hurting reproduction. You could be breeding 00:24:04.450 --> 00:24:06.750 for heat tolerance with the slick gene, but if 00:24:06.750 --> 00:24:08.910 your holding pen is still a sauna twice a day, 00:24:09.089 --> 00:24:11.369 you're still putting immense stress on those 00:24:11.369 --> 00:24:14.170 cows. The article hammers home the need for a 00:24:14.170 --> 00:24:17.029 holistic integrated strategy where all the pieces 00:24:17.029 --> 00:24:19.930 work together. Did I give examples of farms where 00:24:19.930 --> 00:24:23.309 this kind of integrated approach has paid off? 00:24:23.470 --> 00:24:26.490 Yes, they do. They mention a Kansas dairy case 00:24:26.490 --> 00:24:28.990 study where the farm upgraded their freestall 00:24:28.990 --> 00:24:32.269 fans from older 48 -inch models to newer 72 -inch 00:24:32.269 --> 00:24:34.549 ones and significantly improved their holding 00:24:34.549 --> 00:24:37.009 pen and parlor cooling with more fans and high 00:24:37.009 --> 00:24:38.990 -pressure fogging systems. And the result? The 00:24:38.990 --> 00:24:41.630 result wasn't just visibly happier cows, but 00:24:41.630 --> 00:24:44.470 they were able to maintain cow vaginal temperatures 00:24:44.470 --> 00:24:47.170 during heat events that were comparable to dairies 00:24:47.170 --> 00:24:50.119 in much cooler climates. and importantly they 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:52.740 saw consistent measurable improvement in fertility 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:56.200 rates that's concrete very they also cite the 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.180 ustam dairy projecting over ten thousand dollars 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:02.299 in extra monthly income That came from a combination 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:04.660 of increased milk yield and better fertility, 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:07.680 achieved just by establishing integrated cooling 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:09.819 soakers and fans on the feed lines and in the 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:12.599 wash pans. Those are powerful financial examples. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.759 Okay, so for the producer listening right now, 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.680 maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed but wanting to 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:19.779 take action, what's the practical action plan 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:22.000 for 2025, according to this Bullvine article? 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:24.220 Where do they even start? The authors lay out 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:26.220 a pretty clear three -step process, which I think 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:28.740 is helpful. Step one, conduct a vulnerability 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:31.750 audit. An audit. Sounds serious. Well, it just 00:25:31.750 --> 00:25:33.750 means honestly assessing your farm's specific 00:25:33.750 --> 00:25:36.210 weak points when it comes to heat. Look hard 00:25:36.210 --> 00:25:38.029 at your climate zone. Are you dealing mainly 00:25:38.029 --> 00:25:40.589 with dry heat or high humidity? That affects 00:25:40.589 --> 00:25:43.170 which cooling strategies work best. Consider 00:25:43.170 --> 00:25:45.569 your farm type. A tie stall barn needs different 00:25:45.569 --> 00:25:48.289 solutions than a large free stall. And critically, 00:25:48.470 --> 00:25:51.160 audit your existing infrastructure. Where are 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:53.140 the real shortcomings in shade coverage, ventilation 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:55.700 capacity, water trough space, and access points? 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:58.819 And especially that holding pen cooling. You 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.559 have to be brutally honest with yourself about 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:02.779 where the gaps are. Okay, identify the weaknesses, 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:06.500 then step two. Step two, implement a tiered approach 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:08.380 to intervention. Don't try to do everything at 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:10.819 once, maybe. Phase one, things you should do 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:13.759 immediately or ensure are perfect. Focus on the 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:16.359 foundational stuff. Universal shade access, they 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:19.000 suggest, aiming for 40, 50 square feet per cow. 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:22.299 Abundant clean water target 1 .5 to 2 linear 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:24.720 inches of trough space per cow. Maximize your 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.839 basic ventilation clear obstructions. Make sure 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:29.220 fans are clean and maintained. Optimize natural 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:31.140 airflow if you rely on that. Get the absolute 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:33.519 non -negotiables right first. Makes sense. Phase 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.279 two, maybe before peak summer hits. Right. Phase 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:38.859 two is enhanced cooling. This means targeting 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.940 those high -risk areas you identified in your 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:43.579 audit again, they really hammer the holding pin 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:46.680 here. It's also the time to improve dry car cooling, 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:50.180 remembering that strong ROI and the legacy effect 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:53.000 on future generations. And look seriously at 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.779 water and energy efficiency upgrades, like intelligent 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:59.039 soakers, or putting VFDs on your existing fans 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:01.890 if possible. And phase three, this sounds like 00:27:01.890 --> 00:27:03.809 the longer -term integration piece. Exactly. 00:27:03.809 --> 00:27:06.430 Phase three is advanced integration. This is 00:27:06.430 --> 00:27:07.789 where you bring it all together systematically. 00:27:08.490 --> 00:27:11.009 Develop and implement that heat -specific nutrition 00:27:11.009 --> 00:27:13.569 program with your nutritionist, starting the 00:27:13.569 --> 00:27:16.549 planning in late winter, early spring. Actively 00:27:16.549 --> 00:27:18.970 incorporate heat tolerance traits into your genetic 00:27:18.970 --> 00:27:21.809 selection strategy over time. Consider investing 00:27:21.809 --> 00:27:24.089 in smart monitoring technology to get ahead of 00:27:24.089 --> 00:27:26.619 problems and fine -tune your management. and 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:28.839 adjust your daily management practices, like 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.859 timing stressful activities like herd checks 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:33.200 or pen moves, for the coolest parts of the day 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:36.000 whenever possible. Okay, audit, tiered implementation. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.579 What's the final step in their action plan? This 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:41.559 one seems critical. The economics. Step three, 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:45.359 calculate your heat stress economics. The article 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:47.960 directly challenges you, the listener. Do you 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.980 really know what heat stress is costing your 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:52.660 specific operation? They strongly believe most 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:55.200 producers underestimate it. maybe by two or even 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:57.819 three times. Wow. To justify making investments, 00:27:58.119 --> 00:28:00.880 you have to quantify your current losses. Compare 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:03.259 your milk production per cow in cool months versus 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:05.859 hot months. What's the gap? Calculate the true 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:08.000 cost of your reproductive struggles during summer, 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:11.039 extra services per conception, increased days 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.920 open. Try to estimate heat -related health costs, 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:17.579 more ketosis, DAs, mastitis. Then you can project 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:19.880 the potential financial benefits of the interventions 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:22.279 you're considering based on research or case 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.759 studies like the ones mentioned. And finally, 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:27.440 calculate the payback period for potential investments. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:29.940 Total investment costs divided by the projected 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:32.240 annual net benefit. You have to run the numbers 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:34.660 for your own farm. That really brings us to the 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.559 article's conclusion, doesn't it? It feels like 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.819 a strong call to action, basically. Stop making 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:41.740 excuses about summer losses. That's the undeniable 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:44.500 takeaway, I think. Managing heat stress effectively 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:47.380 isn't optional anymore. Not if you want long 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:49.960 -term sustainability in a warming climate. And 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:52.559 the economic case, when you actually sit down 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.559 and run the numbers honestly, as they suggest, 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:58.000 is likely incredibly strong for most dairies. 00:28:58.509 --> 00:29:00.690 And the returns aren't just limited to preserving 00:29:00.690 --> 00:29:02.849 milk production during that July heat wave, are 00:29:02.849 --> 00:29:05.450 they? Not at all. The article does a good job 00:29:05.450 --> 00:29:07.750 summarizing the comprehensive benefits you get 00:29:07.750 --> 00:29:10.490 from an integrated approach. Yes, preserve milk 00:29:10.490 --> 00:29:13.170 production, absolutely. But also significantly 00:29:13.170 --> 00:29:16.349 improve reproduction and reduce days open. Better 00:29:16.349 --> 00:29:19.190 transition cow health. Fewer metabolic issues 00:29:19.190 --> 00:29:22.200 post -calving. enhanced cow longevity and reduced 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:24.619 culling rates, and even better calf health and 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:26.680 future productive potential. Because the dam, 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:29.559 the dry cow, wasn't under severe stress. It truly 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:31.700 impacts the entire dairy system. So it's really 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:33.880 not just about surviving summer anymore. It's 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:35.940 about building a more resilient, more consistently 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:39.920 profitable farm year round. Exactly. The article 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:42.670 argues pretty convincingly. that the most successful 00:29:42.670 --> 00:29:44.750 dairies of the future will be the ones that treat 00:29:44.750 --> 00:29:47.509 heat stress management not as a seasonal emergency 00:29:47.509 --> 00:29:51.289 scramble, but as a proactive, integrated, year 00:29:51.289 --> 00:29:54.809 -round strategy. Much like how you approach preventative 00:29:54.809 --> 00:29:57.150 herd health protocols or hoof trimming schedules, 00:29:57.430 --> 00:29:59.569 it needs to be about continuous improvement based 00:29:59.569 --> 00:30:02.789 on data and solid integrated strategies. And 00:30:02.789 --> 00:30:04.730 the challenge they seem to leave us with. It's 00:30:04.730 --> 00:30:07.450 pretty direct. Stop accepting summer drops in 00:30:07.450 --> 00:30:09.289 performance and reproduction as just inevitable. 00:30:09.650 --> 00:30:12.009 Stop waiting until June to start thinking about 00:30:12.009 --> 00:30:14.450 it. Stop applying Band -Aid fixes that don't 00:30:14.450 --> 00:30:16.210 address the root causes or integrate systems. 00:30:16.690 --> 00:30:18.809 Commit to a truly integrated approach across 00:30:18.809 --> 00:30:21.130 your facilities, your nutrition program, and 00:30:21.130 --> 00:30:23.230 your genetic selection. Talk to your consultants. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:26.059 your nutritionist, your vet, your genetics rep, 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:28.779 your equipment suppliers. Get them thinking collaboratively 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:32.059 about not just surviving this summer, but building 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:34.480 real resilience for the next decade and beyond. 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:37.599 And genuinely run those economic calculations 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:41.279 on your own farm. The article is confident that 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:44.259 for most operations, the numbers will reveal 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:47.079 that significantly more investment in this area 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:50.079 is highly justified. The final point the authors 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.900 leave us with is pretty powerful. I thought, 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:54.140 will you choose to address heat stress reactively, 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:56.660 scrambling after the losses are already hitting 00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:59.559 your bottom line, or proactively, using the advanced 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:01.880 tools and integrated strategies that are available 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:04.920 today? That decision really impacts your profitability 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:07.720 and the long -term sustainability of your operation 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:09.740 for years to come. The question is, are you ready 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:12.799 to move beyond just basic cooling fans and sprinklers 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:15.180 and really implement Heat Stress Management 2 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:18.009 .0? Your cows and probably your bank account 00:31:18.009 --> 00:31:20.170 will thank you if you do. That really forces 00:31:20.170 --> 00:31:22.970 you to think about the future, doesn't it? Here's 00:31:22.970 --> 00:31:25.589 a final thought, billing on that. Given the climate 00:31:25.589 --> 00:31:28.250 projections we keep seeing and the clear economic 00:31:28.250 --> 00:31:31.829 impact this Bullvine article details, could we 00:31:31.829 --> 00:31:34.470 actually see heat tolerance traits, including 00:31:34.470 --> 00:31:37.049 specific genes like that slick allele, become 00:31:37.049 --> 00:31:39.390 more economically important in genetic selection 00:31:39.390 --> 00:31:41.910 programs than maybe even some traditional production 00:31:41.910 --> 00:31:44.630 traits, at least in certain hotter regions, within 00:31:44.630 --> 00:31:46.579 the next decade? It's certainly something to 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:48.680 consider seriously as you plan ahead. Indeed 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:51.400 it is. A lot to chew on there. Well, we appreciate 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:53.480 you joining us for this deep dive today. Yeah, 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:55.460 thanks for listening. And remember, the source 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:57.339 material for our conversation today was that 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:59.960 excellent Bullvine article titled Heat Stress 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:03.539 2 .0, why your current cooling strategy is costing 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:06.440 you big money. You can find it and lots of other 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:10.400 great content over at www .thebullvine .com. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.559 We definitely encourage you to check it out and 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:15.039 explore these concepts further for your own operation. 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:18.000 Absolutely. Until next time, try and stay cool 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:20.359 out there. That's a wrap on today's episode of 00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:23.420 the Bullvine Podcast. If this deep dive into 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:25.720 advanced heat stress management has opened your 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:28.279 eyes to what's possible, don't wait until the 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:31.680 mercury rises to take action. Here's your challenge. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:35.200 Stop accepting summer production drops as inevitable. 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:38.339 Stop waiting until June to think about cooling. 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:41.700 and stop putting Band -Aids on your heat stress 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:44.200 problems. The tools and strategies we've discussed 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:46.519 today aren't theoretical. They're being implemented 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:49.220 right now by producers who refuse to leave money 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:54.319 on the table. Head over to www .thebullvine .com 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:57.779 to read the full article, complete with ROI calculations, 00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:01.980 implementation checklists, and the specific technologies 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:05.980 we discussed today. While you're there... Browse 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:08.440 our latest content covering everything from genetics 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:10.960 to management strategies that are shaping the 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:13.220 future of dairy farming. Got questions about 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:16.279 today's episode? Disagree with something we said? 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:19.559 We want to hear from you. Connect with us through 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:21.920 our website, and don't forget to subscribe to 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:24.700 the Bullvine Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:28.259 Remember, the most profitable dairies of the 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:31.079 future won't be those who react to heat stress 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:34.240 when it arrives. they'll be the ones who make 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:36.680 it an integral part of their year -round management 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:40.420 strategy. Your decision today will impact not 00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:43.180 just this summer's milk check, but your dairy's 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:47.140 profitability for years to come. Until next time, 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:49.259 this is the Bullvine Podcast, where we speak 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:52.400 truth to power in the dairy industry. Stay cool 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:52.819 out there.