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 --> 00:01:02.880 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:06.260 your go -to source for bold, data -driven insights 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:09.780 into the dairy industry. In this episode, we 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:12.099 dive into the critical challenge of heat stress 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:15.500 in dairy cattle, transform heat stress into your 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:19.140 carbon strategy's secret weapon. We explore how 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:21.879 rising temperatures are not just slashing milk 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:24.319 yields, but also increasing methane emissions. 00:01:24.989 --> 00:01:27.250 hitting your operation double time financially 00:01:27.250 --> 00:01:30.230 and environmentally. Stay tuned as we unpack 00:01:30.230 --> 00:01:32.670 the latest research and practical strategies 00:01:32.670 --> 00:01:35.569 to protect both your milk checks and the planet. 00:01:35.950 --> 00:01:38.489 Let's get started. Welcome back to the Bullvine 00:01:38.489 --> 00:01:40.950 Podcast, the show that digs deep into the topics 00:01:40.950 --> 00:01:42.989 that matter to dairy producers. That's right. 00:01:43.170 --> 00:01:46.530 And today, wow, we're tackling a really insightful 00:01:46.530 --> 00:01:49.629 feature article from the Bullvine. It's a... 00:01:49.980 --> 00:01:52.120 Definitely got people talking in the industry. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:01:54.959 It really has. It's a deep dive that really makes 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:56.700 you reevaluate some things we thought we knew. 00:01:56.920 --> 00:02:00.040 Absolutely. This deep dive focuses on a challenge 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.219 that, I mean, many of us are familiar with on 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:05.099 the surface, heat stress in dairy cattle. Sure. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:08.340 Hot cows, less milk. Exactly. But the article 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:12.539 reveals it's far more critical and maybe often 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:15.759 overlooked than just reduced milk production. 00:02:16.420 --> 00:02:18.800 It's dramatically impacting methane emissions 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:21.439 and, you know, your farm's bottom line where 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:24.099 you might not even realize. Yeah. What we've 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:26.319 got here is an incredibly detailed piece of research 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:28.759 that pulls back the curtain on what it calls 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.539 a hidden crisis. And our mission for you, the 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:34.060 listener today, is, well, it's more than just 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:37.340 understanding this pretty complex problem. Right. 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:39.819 We want to help you see heat abatement not just 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:43.479 as a seasonal expense, you know, but as a strategic, 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:47.740 potentially. highly profitable solution. strategy. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.599 Yeah. It's a key lever that addresses both productivity 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:54.280 on your farm and those increasingly important 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:56.840 environmental compliance requirements. Definitely 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:59.080 growing. So we're going to unpack the latest 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:01.520 research, really delve into the real financial 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:04.740 implications and highlight the cutting edge strategies 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:07.539 you can implement right now to, well, to truly 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:09.659 future proof your operation. OK, let's unpack 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:11.800 this hidden crisis that the article describes. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:14.159 We all know, I mean, it's a given for any dairy 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.060 producer that heat stress can absolutely crush 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:20.300 milk yield. No question. But what this article 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:23.039 reveals is a truly startling fact. I think many 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:25.580 might find this shocking. Heat -stressed cows 00:03:25.580 --> 00:03:30.740 produce a staggering 23 % more methane per gallon 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:34.400 of milk. 23 %! That's huge! It's a double whammy, 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:35.979 isn't it? It's hitting you on two fronts at the 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:38.090 same time. You're getting less milk produced. 00:03:38.250 --> 00:03:40.330 Right. And for every gallon you do get, you're 00:03:40.330 --> 00:03:42.930 facing a significantly higher environmental footprint. 00:03:43.169 --> 00:03:46.110 So it's a silent kind of insidious drain on both 00:03:46.110 --> 00:03:49.969 efficiency and maybe reputation too. Exactly. 00:03:49.969 --> 00:03:52.289 It truly is. What's fascinating here is how the 00:03:52.289 --> 00:03:55.310 article frames this, calling it a double financial 00:03:55.310 --> 00:03:57.810 disaster. That's wrong words. And that label, 00:03:57.870 --> 00:04:00.569 I assure you, it's not an exaggeration when you 00:04:00.569 --> 00:04:02.729 look at the projections they cite. We're not 00:04:02.729 --> 00:04:04.969 talking small potatoes here. Yeah. the global 00:04:04.969 --> 00:04:07.590 cost to the dairy industry if we don't effectively 00:04:07.590 --> 00:04:11.460 manage this is projected to hit $30 billion by 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:14.840 2050. 30 billion. Wow. Think about that number. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.480 This isn't just about cows being a little uncomfortable 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.240 on a hot day anymore. Not at all. This is about 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.379 foundational economics and, frankly, maybe even 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:26.160 existential threats for some operations. The 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:28.180 article makes a very strong case that for many 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:30.379 farms, environmental regulations are becoming, 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:33.040 and I quote, nearly impossible to meet at our 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.180 current U .S. milk prices. Which have been averaging 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:38.170 around, what, $21 per hundred weight? Exactly. 00:04:38.310 --> 00:04:41.149 So imagine trying to navigate tightening methane 00:04:41.149 --> 00:04:43.670 regulations and maybe even carbon taxes down 00:04:43.670 --> 00:04:46.129 the road when your basic economics are already 00:04:46.129 --> 00:04:49.230 so squeezed. Yeah, it's tough. It really hammers 00:04:49.230 --> 00:04:51.870 home that your most productive cows, you know, 00:04:51.889 --> 00:04:53.709 those big genetic investments you've made, maybe 00:04:53.709 --> 00:04:56.170 hundreds or thousands of dollars in. Right, your 00:04:56.170 --> 00:04:58.389 best animals. They can actually become your biggest 00:04:58.389 --> 00:05:01.029 environmental liabilities the moment temperatures 00:05:01.029 --> 00:05:06.110 push past just 68 THI. Okay, so 68 THI. Let's 00:05:06.110 --> 00:05:08.620 clarify that. For our listeners who might not 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:11.360 be constantly checking their temperature humidity 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:14.699 index, I mean, 68 THI, a lot of people might 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:17.000 still feel pretty comfortable then, right? Maybe 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:18.959 just slightly warm. That's a critical distinction, 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:22.519 yeah. And maybe why it's overlooked. But for 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:25.459 a high -producing dairy cow... What exactly is 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:28.500 happening physiologically at that 68 THI threshold? 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:31.160 Right. So the THI, the temperature humidity index, 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:33.939 it combines both temperature and humidity. It's 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:36.220 a better indicator of how the cow actually feels, 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:38.699 not just what the thermometer says. Got it. When 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:41.560 the article talks about 68 PHI, it's referring 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.079 to a point where that cow's core body temperature 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:46.540 starts to rise, even if she isn't showing obvious 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:48.439 signs yet, like, you know, heavy panting. So 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:52.100 it's internal. Exactly. At 68 THI, metabolic 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:55.000 disruption is already beginning. Her system is 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.220 starting to work harder just to maintain thermal 00:05:57.220 --> 00:05:59.779 balance, just to stay cool. And that takes energy. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:02.420 It takes energy away from milk production and, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:06.379 crucially, it impacts her rumen function. This 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:08.860 is where we start seeing that shift towards less 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:12.639 efficient digestion and, consequently, higher 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:15.480 methane intensity per unit of milk. It's like 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:17.660 her internal engine starts sputtering before 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:19.579 you even hear it knock. That's a good way to 00:06:19.579 --> 00:06:21.680 put it, yeah. So it's like your best players 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:24.319 suddenly start scoring for the other team, environmentally 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.800 speaking, without you even realizing they're 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:28.879 on the wrong side of the field. Precisely. And 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.459 the article really challenges the traditional 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:34.100 way we've handled heat stress, doesn't it? It 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:37.079 states quite plainly that most consultants, well, 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:39.040 they won't tell you our reactive approach is 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:42.220 fundamentally flawed. Ouch. We tend to wait for 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:44.970 those visible symptoms, right? Panting, maybe 00:06:44.970 --> 00:06:47.790 a noticeable drop in feed intake or milk production. 00:06:47.930 --> 00:06:50.629 The obvious signs. But the article warns that 00:06:50.629 --> 00:06:53.610 by then, and this is key, methane intensity has 00:06:53.610 --> 00:06:56.149 already increased significantly and rumen efficiency 00:06:56.149 --> 00:06:59.410 has been compromised for days. For days. Wow. 00:06:59.529 --> 00:07:00.949 It's like waiting for a heart attack instead 00:07:00.949 --> 00:07:03.610 of monitoring blood pressure and, you know, addressing 00:07:03.610 --> 00:07:05.490 those early warning signs. Yeah, you're dealing 00:07:05.490 --> 00:07:07.550 with the damage after it's already done instead 00:07:07.550 --> 00:07:10.250 of preventing it. Exactly. Which, you know, raises 00:07:10.250 --> 00:07:13.949 an absolutely crucial question. Why do most operations 00:07:13.949 --> 00:07:17.149 still rely on that outdated 80 -degree threshold 00:07:17.149 --> 00:07:19.730 for intervention? It's what we've always done, 00:07:19.790 --> 00:07:21.589 maybe. It's what we've been taught for so long, 00:07:21.689 --> 00:07:23.310 right? It's become ingrained in our management 00:07:23.310 --> 00:07:25.689 protocols. But the latest controlled research, 00:07:25.990 --> 00:07:29.149 it unequivocally confirms that metabolic disruption, 00:07:29.290 --> 00:07:31.470 which is the root cause of these hidden losses, 00:07:31.870 --> 00:07:37.139 begins at just 68 THI. 68. Oh. Not 80. Not 80. 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:39.259 And this isn't a small margin. The article calls 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:42.040 it a 12 -degree blind spot. A blind spot. I like 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:45.240 that term. Between 68 and 80 THI. And it's costing 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.339 producers dearly. For an average 500 cow operation, 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:51.100 this blind spot isn't minor at all. It silently 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:54.720 costs approximately $15 ,000 to $25 ,000 annually. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:59.949 $15 ,000 to $25 ,000. Annually. In hidden methane 00:07:59.949 --> 00:08:02.329 penalties and productivity losses, and here's 00:08:02.329 --> 00:08:05.110 the real kicker, these losses aren't even showing 00:08:05.110 --> 00:08:08.470 up in your obvious daily metrics because they're 00:08:08.470 --> 00:08:10.990 cumulative, they're often subtle, and maybe they 00:08:10.990 --> 00:08:13.149 get attributed to other things. Right. You might 00:08:13.149 --> 00:08:15.310 blame something else. Exactly. So they're silently 00:08:15.310 --> 00:08:17.769 eroding your bottom line and your environmental 00:08:17.769 --> 00:08:19.769 performance without you even knowing. It's like 00:08:19.769 --> 00:08:22.970 a hidden tax on your efficiency. Wow. And here's 00:08:22.970 --> 00:08:25.009 where it gets really interesting. And frankly, 00:08:25.129 --> 00:08:28.269 it... completely flips conventional wisdom on 00:08:28.269 --> 00:08:31.209 its head. For years, we've generally believed 00:08:31.209 --> 00:08:33.950 that reduced feed intake during heat stress would 00:08:33.950 --> 00:08:36.769 naturally lead to less methane produced by the 00:08:36.769 --> 00:08:39.029 cow. Makes sense, right? Less input, less output. 00:08:39.129 --> 00:08:42.330 Seems logical, yeah. Less feed, less gas. But 00:08:42.330 --> 00:08:44.929 the article cites controlled chamber studies 00:08:44.929 --> 00:08:47.710 that reveal something called a biphasic response. 00:08:48.009 --> 00:08:50.250 Biphasic. OK, break that down. It means that 00:08:50.250 --> 00:08:53.009 while the absolute amount of methane might initially 00:08:53.009 --> 00:08:55.750 decline because the cow is simply eating less, 00:08:55.870 --> 00:08:59.049 the methane intensity actually increases as heat 00:08:59.049 --> 00:09:01.649 stress persists, even as absolute emissions initially 00:09:01.649 --> 00:09:04.210 decline. Wait, so even though she's eating less, 00:09:04.509 --> 00:09:07.899 the methane per unit goes up. Exactly. So your 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:10.720 low producing heat stressed cows are actually 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:13.019 your worst environmental performers per unit 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:15.899 of milk. Wow. Okay. They're giving you less milk, 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:18.679 but producing more methane for every gallon they 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:21.539 do manage to produce. That completely changes 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:23.240 how we should be thinking about our heat stressed 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:25.799 animals, doesn't it? It absolutely does. It means 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.759 those struggling cows are a double liability, 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.700 not just for production, but for environmental 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:33.159 compliance too. It forces us to redefine what 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:35.460 efficiency really means in a changing climate. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.440 That biphasic response is a true game changer 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:40.759 in our understanding. To break it down a bit 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:44.120 more, when a cow experiences heat stress, her 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:47.820 body, it prioritizes cooling above almost everything 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:50.360 else. Survival mode. Pretty much. This means 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.419 a whole cascade of physiological changes. Blood 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:55.840 flow gets diverted to the skin for evaporative 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:58.879 cooling, right? Away from internal organs like 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.820 the room. Okay, makes sense. This reduced blood 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:03.639 flow, combined with decreased feed intake and 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.379 changes in drinking behavior, it can alter the 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:08.980 rumen's microbiome. You know, that whole population 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:11.940 of bacteria and microbes essential for efficient 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:14.279 digestion. The gut bugs get messed up. Basically, 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:17.559 yeah. The article calls it microbial dysbiosis. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:20.759 When that delicate balance in the rumen is thrown 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:23.740 off, even if the cow is consuming less feed, 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:27.120 the type of fermentation shifts. Not just the 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:29.940 amount. Right. It becomes less efficient. It 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:32.259 produces more methane relative to the energy 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:36.139 extracted from the feed. So while she might physically 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:38.759 produce less total methane because she's eating 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:42.059 less, the intensity, the amount of methane per 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:44.980 unit of milk or per unit of feed goes up. So 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.799 her engine is not only running on less fuel, 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.240 but it's also burning it dirtier. That's a perfect 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:52.440 analogy. Yes. That's why those lower -producing, 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:54.820 heat -stressed cows become such an environmental 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:57.879 hotspot, despite their reduced output. It's a 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:59.899 really compelling argument for proactive management, 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.139 isn't it? We can't afford to just let them struggle. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:05.259 Absolutely. So, okay, we've established that 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.100 heat stress makes your cows less efficient and 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:10.559 more impactful environmentally. Often without 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:12.360 you even seeing it clearly. Right. The hidden 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.639 crisis. But what's really unsettling and what 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.360 the article tackles next is how our very own 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:20.379 breeding strategies might be inadvertently making 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:23.159 this problem worse. It's like we've been building 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:27.080 a genetic time bomb on our farms. Oh, a time 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:29.960 bomb. Yeah. It warns that the dairy industries 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:32.759 and I quote, obsession with single trait selection 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:35.720 for milk yield has created a genetic time bomb. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:38.460 Focusing just on production. Right. It suggests 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:41.440 that by focusing almost exclusively on maximizing 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:43.860 milk output, we might be inadvertently breeding 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:46.799 cows that become environmental disasters when 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:48.820 temperatures rise. Because high production itself 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:51.379 generates more metabolic heat. Exactly. So they're 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.139 inherently more susceptible to heat stress in 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.519 the first place. Wow. This is a critical point. 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.080 It forces us to look beyond just the immediate 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:00.080 production numbers. If we connect this to the 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:02.820 bigger picture, it means your highest TPI cows. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:05.360 Little performance index, yeah. Right. Those 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.740 premium animals you've invested so heavily in, 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:11.039 sometimes upwards of $50 ,000 for top -tier genetics. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.299 Serious investments. They can actually become 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:16.139 these methane factories precisely when you need 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:18.539 them to be most productive, which is often during 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:20.840 challenging environmental conditions. So the 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:23.340 very cows you paid the most for become the biggest 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:26.100 problem. Under heat stress, potentially, yes. 00:12:26.909 --> 00:12:29.250 The article makes the very compelling case that 00:12:29.250 --> 00:12:32.529 this conventional breeding wisdom, the milk yield 00:12:32.529 --> 00:12:35.830 at any cost mentality, is truly being turned 00:12:35.830 --> 00:12:38.009 upside down. It's not sustainable. It's not just 00:12:38.009 --> 00:12:40.049 about maximizing milk production anymore. It's 00:12:40.049 --> 00:12:42.370 about ensuring that production is sustainable 00:12:42.370 --> 00:12:45.190 and resilient under changing climate conditions. 00:12:45.750 --> 00:12:48.070 We've been breeding for the ideal environment, 00:12:48.210 --> 00:12:50.889 maybe, not the increasingly common reality of 00:12:50.889 --> 00:12:53.190 thermal stress. That's a huge shift in perspective. 00:12:53.250 --> 00:12:55.750 For decades, we've prioritized sheer volume. 00:12:56.590 --> 00:12:59.269 But the good news, though, is that genomic research 00:12:59.269 --> 00:13:02.009 offers a really promising way out of this dilemma. 00:13:02.289 --> 00:13:05.129 OK, some hope then. Yeah. The Argyle states that 00:13:05.129 --> 00:13:07.710 incorporating heat tolerance into selection indices 00:13:07.710 --> 00:13:10.509 can increase prediction accuracy by up to 10 00:13:10.509 --> 00:13:13.049 percent. 10 percent is significant. It is. And 00:13:13.049 --> 00:13:14.870 this isn't just theoretical. It's happening in 00:13:14.870 --> 00:13:17.250 operations that are, you know, smart enough to 00:13:17.250 --> 00:13:20.450 challenge that old milk yield at any cost mentality. 00:13:20.649 --> 00:13:23.149 It's about leveraging our understanding of genetics 00:13:23.149 --> 00:13:27.049 to build a more resilient herd. A herd that can 00:13:27.049 --> 00:13:29.669 thrive in tomorrow's climate, not just yesterday's. 00:13:29.690 --> 00:13:31.889 Exactly. And indeed. And the beauty of it is. 00:13:32.589 --> 00:13:35.970 It's not necessarily about sacrificing productivity 00:13:35.970 --> 00:13:39.129 or milk yield to achieve that heat tolerance. 00:13:39.450 --> 00:13:42.070 Oh, that's key. The heritability estimates for 00:13:42.070 --> 00:13:44.830 heat tolerance traits, which range from about 00:13:44.830 --> 00:13:48.490 0 .3 to 0 .17, they're more than sufficient for 00:13:48.490 --> 00:13:50.750 meaningful genetic progress. So heritability, 00:13:50.929 --> 00:13:52.850 just quickly, that means it's passed down effectively. 00:13:53.169 --> 00:13:55.169 Exactly. It means a significant portion of a 00:13:55.169 --> 00:13:57.169 cow's ability to tolerate heat is passed down 00:13:57.169 --> 00:13:59.450 genetically from her parents. So it's a trait 00:13:59.450 --> 00:14:01.610 we can effectively select for and improve in 00:14:01.610 --> 00:14:03.970 our... herds over generations. Okay. And it's 00:14:03.970 --> 00:14:07.210 not just a general concept, the SLICK haplotype, 00:14:07.350 --> 00:14:10.570 for example. SLIC. Yeah, SLICK. It's a fascinating 00:14:10.570 --> 00:14:13.269 specific genetic trait. This allele results in 00:14:13.269 --> 00:14:15.710 short, sleek hair coats. Like a summer coat, 00:14:15.830 --> 00:14:18.309 year -round. Pretty much. Dramatically improving 00:14:18.309 --> 00:14:21.470 heat dissipation for cows, particularly in hotter 00:14:21.470 --> 00:14:24.330 climates. And the remarkable thing is that this 00:14:24.330 --> 00:14:26.250 trait, which originated in centipole cattle, 00:14:26.470 --> 00:14:29.070 can be incorporated into Holstein populations. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:32.299 without compromising milk production potential. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:34.820 So you get the cooling benefit without losing 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:37.500 the milk. That's the goal. And the research suggests 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.679 it's achievable. This is a true game changer 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:42.720 because it means we can breed for environmental 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:45.100 resilience without giving up the productivity 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:48.240 we need. Wow. Actually, the article even highlighted 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.799 a study that found cows bred to be low methane 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:53.080 emitters in comfortable conditions. Well, they 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:55.080 actually increased their methane output under 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:57.879 heat stress. Oh, so breeding only for low methane 00:14:57.879 --> 00:15:00.539 isn't enough either. It reinforces the need for 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:03.220 this dual focus, breeding for both production 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:05.620 and resilience to heat. It isn't just about survival. 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:08.059 It's about optimizing performance in future conditions. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.899 Okay, so what does this all mean practically? 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:13.320 For our breeding programs, the strategic choices 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:15.860 we're making today, right now. Well, the article 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:18.120 points out that cows predicted to be heat tolerant 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:21.220 through genomic breeding values. They show less 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:23.879 decline in milk output and fewer increases in 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.039 core body temperature during controlled heat 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:29.700 stress events. So the predictions work in practice. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:32.919 It seems so. This isn't just some distant science 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:36.639 project. It's practical, actionable risk management. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:40.399 It lets operations plan beyond the next lactation, 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:42.779 you know, well into the next decade. And the 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:45.919 cost. Is this genomic testing affordable? That's 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:48.259 another piece of good news. Genomic testing has 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:51.000 become incredibly accessible. It's dropped below 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:54.879 $60 per animal now. $60. Okay. And more importantly, 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:58.399 it offers a documented ROI ranging from 150 % 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:02.350 to 200%. 150 % to 200 % return. Yeah. That's 00:16:02.350 --> 00:16:04.409 a significant return for protecting your herd's 00:16:04.409 --> 00:16:06.490 future productivity and environmental performance, 00:16:06.730 --> 00:16:09.950 especially when you consider the long -term compounding 00:16:09.950 --> 00:16:12.309 liabilities of breeding less resilient animals 00:16:12.309 --> 00:16:14.490 that will struggle more and more as temperatures 00:16:14.490 --> 00:16:16.570 rise. It's an investment that pays dividends 00:16:16.570 --> 00:16:19.789 for years, securing your farm's future. It truly 00:16:19.789 --> 00:16:22.830 is a proactive strategy. Think of it this way. 00:16:22.970 --> 00:16:26.250 For decades, we've carefully selected for traits 00:16:26.250 --> 00:16:29.730 like milk components, udder health, Fertility. 00:16:29.830 --> 00:16:32.529 All the usuals. Right. And now, with climate 00:16:32.529 --> 00:16:35.330 change becoming more real, heat tolerance needs 00:16:35.330 --> 00:16:37.850 to be right there on that list alongside them. 00:16:37.970 --> 00:16:40.220 It has to be a priority. And what's exciting 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:43.000 is that with genomic testing, you're not waiting 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.379 for a cow to show signs of heat stress to know 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.759 if she's tolerant. You're getting a genetic blueprint 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.460 that predicts her resilience from birth. So you 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:53.679 can make decisions much earlier. Exactly. Earlier, 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.340 more informed culling decisions, and maybe more 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:58.899 importantly, the strategic selection of sires 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:01.220 that will improve your herd's overall resilience 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:04.900 over time. It transforms breeding from just reacting 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:07.940 to environmental challenges into a powerful predictive 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:10.839 tool for managing future climate risks. Building 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:13.859 a herd that thrives, not just survives, in the 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.680 clients of tomorrow. That's the essence of it. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:18.019 Yeah. Okay, so moving beyond methane and genetics, 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.700 the article really hits home on the broader economic 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:23.779 devastation of heat stress. It calls it a wealth 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.819 destroyer that compounds across generations. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:28.640 Yeah, that's a heavy phrase, wealth destroyer. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:31.559 It is. It implies it's not just a seasonal inconvenience, 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:35.200 it's eroding the very foundation of your farm's 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:38.230 financial health quietly over time. We're definitely 00:17:38.230 --> 00:17:41.569 talking about direct and very substantial financial 00:17:41.569 --> 00:17:44.630 hits. While U .S. milk production hit that remarkable 00:17:44.630 --> 00:17:49.369 227 .8 billion pounds in 2025. Huge numbers. 00:17:49.650 --> 00:17:51.750 And production per cow is averaging around 2 00:17:51.750 --> 00:17:55.710 ,040 pounds monthly in major states. This impressive 00:17:55.710 --> 00:17:58.809 productivity can often mask a hidden methane 00:17:58.809 --> 00:18:01.769 penalty and other insidious losses. Okay. When 00:18:01.769 --> 00:18:04.190 heat stress increases methane intensity by up 00:18:04.190 --> 00:18:07.049 to 23 % at the herd level, like we discussed. 00:18:07.109 --> 00:18:10.650 Operations face direct regulatory exposure in 00:18:10.650 --> 00:18:12.910 regions that are increasingly implementing carbon 00:18:12.910 --> 00:18:15.630 pricing or methane reduction targets. The compliance 00:18:15.630 --> 00:18:17.569 costs. That compounds with the direct production 00:18:17.569 --> 00:18:20.049 losses we often see. Recent modeling studies 00:18:20.049 --> 00:18:21.890 tracking high -yielding herds found that heat 00:18:21.890 --> 00:18:23.930 stress can decrease herd -level milk yield by 00:18:23.930 --> 00:18:26.430 up to 8 .6 % when you combine all the effects 00:18:26.430 --> 00:18:30.250 over extended heat periods. 8 .6 % loss. That's 00:18:30.250 --> 00:18:33.470 significant. For a 500 -cow operation producing 00:18:33.470 --> 00:18:36.089 at current U .S. averages, this represents potential 00:18:36.089 --> 00:18:40.890 losses of $25 ,000 to $40 ,000 during extended 00:18:40.890 --> 00:18:44.349 heat periods. Wow. $25 ,000 to $40 ,000. And 00:18:44.349 --> 00:18:46.269 that's before you even account for any environmental 00:18:46.269 --> 00:18:48.490 compliance penalties that are becoming more common. 00:18:48.589 --> 00:18:50.609 Right. Plus, it's not just milk yield, is it? 00:18:50.710 --> 00:18:53.730 Not at all. Heat stress also leads to significant 00:18:53.730 --> 00:18:56.470 reproductive losses, lower conception rates, 00:18:56.630 --> 00:19:00.109 higher embryonic death. Fertility takes a nosedive. 00:19:00.130 --> 00:19:02.769 Exactly. And increased health issues, which means 00:19:02.769 --> 00:19:05.750 more vet bills, potentially higher culling rates. 00:19:05.990 --> 00:19:08.490 All of these contribute to that wealth destroyer 00:19:08.490 --> 00:19:10.930 label. It hits you from multiple angles. And 00:19:10.930 --> 00:19:12.710 the article doesn't shy away from what it calls 00:19:12.710 --> 00:19:15.609 the brutal truth about climate inequality within 00:19:15.609 --> 00:19:18.150 the dairy industry itself. Inequality? How so? 00:19:18.410 --> 00:19:20.630 It highlights that smaller farms, you know, those 00:19:20.630 --> 00:19:22.849 with under 100 cows, they're disproportionately 00:19:22.849 --> 00:19:25.390 affected. Really? More than the big guys? Yeah. 00:19:25.769 --> 00:19:28.650 They experience 1 .6 % annual yield losses compared 00:19:28.650 --> 00:19:31.990 to less than 1 % for large herds. And even more 00:19:31.990 --> 00:19:34.849 starkly, after an extreme heat event, small herds 00:19:34.849 --> 00:19:37.430 can lose 50 % more of a day's yield than large 00:19:37.430 --> 00:19:41.450 herds. 50 % more? Why is that? The article points 00:19:41.450 --> 00:19:44.089 out it's largely due to the high capital costs 00:19:44.089 --> 00:19:46.269 required for the sophisticated mitigation infrastructure. 00:19:47.549 --> 00:19:49.849 You know, those large -scale fan and sprinkler 00:19:49.849 --> 00:19:52.609 systems. Stuff that's often beyond the immediate 00:19:52.609 --> 00:19:55.250 financial reach of smaller operations. Exactly. 00:19:55.250 --> 00:19:57.450 It's a real threat to the viability of family 00:19:57.450 --> 00:19:59.970 farms, potentially widening that gap between 00:19:59.970 --> 00:20:03.220 small and large producers. That point about climate 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:05.420 inequality is crucial. It speaks to the very 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:07.500 structure of the industry, doesn't it? It does. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:10.900 Large operations often have the capital and the 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:13.599 economies of scale to invest in cutting -edge 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:16.519 cooling systems, complex tunnel ventilation, 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:21.029 automated sprinklers. Things smaller farms just 00:20:21.029 --> 00:20:23.309 can't afford up front. Creating a tough cycle. 00:20:23.430 --> 00:20:25.890 It creates a vicious cycle. Smaller farms suffer 00:20:25.890 --> 00:20:28.509 more losses, making it even harder for them to 00:20:28.509 --> 00:20:30.430 afford the very solutions that would protect 00:20:30.430 --> 00:20:32.950 them. It's not just a yield loss for one season. 00:20:33.029 --> 00:20:35.250 It's a compounding disadvantage. And it gets 00:20:35.250 --> 00:20:37.210 worse, doesn't it? Affecting the next generation. 00:20:37.630 --> 00:20:40.509 Yeah. Furthermore, this economic drain also extends 00:20:40.509 --> 00:20:43.769 to the future generation of your herd. The article 00:20:43.769 --> 00:20:46.690 describes something quite alarming. Transgenerational 00:20:46.690 --> 00:20:49.480 damage. Meaning damage passed down. Exactly. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:53.799 Heat -stressed dry cows produce calves with permanently 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:56.319 reduced productive capacity. Permanently. Wow. 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:59.160 This isn't just a single season's loss. It creates 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.779 compounding liabilities that research estimates 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:05.220 cost the U .S. dairy industry an additional $595 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:08.990 million annually. Almost $600 million just from 00:21:08.990 --> 00:21:10.890 that effect. Just from those legacy effects. 00:21:11.150 --> 00:21:14.069 It transforms heat stress from a seasonal nuisance 00:21:14.069 --> 00:21:16.930 into this long -term erosion of your genetic 00:21:16.930 --> 00:21:19.509 investment and ultimately your family farm's 00:21:19.509 --> 00:21:22.250 future profitability. Imagine calves born weaker, 00:21:22.390 --> 00:21:24.910 growing slower, producing less milk their entire 00:21:24.910 --> 00:21:27.660 lives. Yeah. all because their mother was heat 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:30.119 stressed during her dry period. It's a silent 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:32.240 threat that accumulates over time, impacting 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:35.000 generations of livestock and farmers. Pretty 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:37.380 sobering stuff. It really is. But here's the 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:39.599 pivot. Here's the truly hopeful and actionable 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:41.420 part of the article. Okay, let's hear it. It 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.819 says to stop thinking of heat abatement as just 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:46.799 a cost center, but rather the most profitable 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:49.680 investment you'll make this decade. Profitable. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:53.299 Not just mitigating loss. Profitable. This completely 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:55.660 reframes the conversation, doesn't it? Research 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:58.380 consistently demonstrates that every dollar invested 00:21:58.380 --> 00:22:00.920 in effective heat abatement returns three to 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:03.339 five dollars in avoided losses. Three to five 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:05.640 dollars back for every dollar spent. In avoided 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:08.259 losses from production, reproductive issues, 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:11.380 health problems. Plus, and this is a huge point, 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:14.509 those environmental benefits. like reduced methane 00:22:14.509 --> 00:22:17.490 emissions. They generate additional value streams, 00:22:17.750 --> 00:22:20.609 like the potential for carbon credits in regions 00:22:20.609 --> 00:22:23.190 where those programs exist, adding another layer 00:22:23.190 --> 00:22:25.670 of potential profitability. So it pays for itself 00:22:25.670 --> 00:22:28.250 and then some, potentially even creating new 00:22:28.250 --> 00:22:30.730 income. That's the argument. It's about shifting 00:22:30.730 --> 00:22:33.309 from that mindset of expense to one of strategic 00:22:33.309 --> 00:22:36.049 asset investment. And precision cooling systems 00:22:36.049 --> 00:22:38.950 are absolutely key to unlocking these benefits. 00:22:39.329 --> 00:22:43.299 Not just basic shade. Right. unlike basic shade 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:46.140 structures or you know just hosing down cows 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:49.099 which offer pretty limited relief Engineered 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:50.980 ventilation systems are designed to maintain 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:53.660 normal rumination patterns and digestive efficiency 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:56.240 even during thermal stress. Maintaining that 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:58.839 rumen health. Exactly. This is crucial because 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:02.079 it directly prevents that microbial dysbiosis, 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:04.220 that unhealthy imbalance in the gut bacteria 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.920 we talked about, which is what ultimately drives 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:08.299 methane inefficiency. The article specifically 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:11.059 details the ROI of different systems, precision 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:13.380 fan systems, for instance. What's the cost in 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:16.200 return there? Typically costs around $200, $400 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:19.910 per cow, offer an impressive 3 .2 to 1 ROI and 00:23:19.910 --> 00:23:23.029 can achieve a 15 -20 % methane intensity reduction. 00:23:23.170 --> 00:23:25.910 3 .2 return. Not bad. Then there are smart sprinkler 00:23:25.910 --> 00:23:29.109 systems. Those cost about $150, $300 per cow, 00:23:29.269 --> 00:23:33.250 give a 2 .8 to 1 ROI and a 12, 18 % methane reduction. 00:23:33.509 --> 00:23:35.309 Still pretty good. And for a really comprehensive 00:23:35.309 --> 00:23:37.710 approach, comprehensive cooling systems ranging 00:23:37.710 --> 00:23:40.990 from $400, $800 per cow deliver the highest return 00:23:40.990 --> 00:23:44.970 at a 4 .1 to 1 ROI and a substantial 20, 25 % 00:23:44.970 --> 00:23:46.789 methane intensity reduction. Over four times 00:23:46.789 --> 00:23:49.029 return. Wow. And these aren't just guesses. These 00:23:49.029 --> 00:23:51.490 figures are backed by journal validated research. 00:23:51.650 --> 00:23:55.029 They show real measure. results in terms of both 00:23:55.029 --> 00:23:58.569 productivity and environmental performance. That's 00:23:58.569 --> 00:24:00.789 compelling. It's not just about keeping the cows 00:24:00.789 --> 00:24:02.769 comfortable anymore. It's about optimizing their 00:24:02.769 --> 00:24:05.410 entire physiological system for peak performance 00:24:05.410 --> 00:24:09.109 and minimal environmental impact. Exactly. Optimized 00:24:09.109 --> 00:24:12.269 system. And the article emphasizes that climate 00:24:12.269 --> 00:24:15.069 projections make early adoption of these strategies 00:24:15.069 --> 00:24:18.190 absolutely crucial for long -term strategic positioning. 00:24:18.369 --> 00:24:20.789 Looking ahead. Yeah. This isn't just about next 00:24:20.789 --> 00:24:23.049 summer or even the one after that. It's about 00:24:23.049 --> 00:24:25.990 setting your operation up for 2030 and beyond. 00:24:26.509 --> 00:24:28.789 The future climate is, well, it's already here 00:24:28.789 --> 00:24:30.730 in many ways, and it's only going to intensify. 00:24:30.869 --> 00:24:33.390 That's right. And if we connect this to the bigger 00:24:33.390 --> 00:24:35.809 picture of global climate trends, the models 00:24:35.809 --> 00:24:38.990 paint a pretty clear and, frankly, stark picture. 00:24:39.230 --> 00:24:42.089 What do they show? They predict that a staggering 00:24:42.089 --> 00:24:45.150 90 % of the Canadian national dairy herd will 00:24:45.150 --> 00:24:47.609 see large increases in heat stress frequency, 00:24:47.869 --> 00:24:50.630 severity, and duration under most climate scenarios. 00:24:50.890 --> 00:24:53.700 90 % in Canada. And for U .S. operations, climate 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:56.099 projections indicate that extreme heat days will 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:58.960 become more frequent and severe, resulting in 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.720 a 30 % increase in milk heels losses by 2050, 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:05.380 if we continue with business as usual. 30 % more 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:08.059 loss by 2050. That's significant. It paints a 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:10.220 vivid picture of the competitive landscape, doesn't 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:12.680 it? The undeniable advantage will go to those 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:15.099 operations who implement proactive heat abatement. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.539 The ones who adapt now. They'll maintain stable 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:20.019 production and environmental performance when 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:22.200 their competitors are struggling and experiencing 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:25.700 significant drops. It's about building resilience 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:28.059 and ensuring continuity in a rapidly changing 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:30.619 climate. The question isn't if these conditions 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:34.220 will impact your farm, but how severely and maybe 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:36.900 more importantly, how prepared you'll be. Right. 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:39.740 The article then poses three critical questions 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:42.430 every strategic planner must answer today. And 00:25:42.430 --> 00:25:43.930 these are questions every listener should be 00:25:43.930 --> 00:25:45.809 asking themselves right now to kind of assess 00:25:45.809 --> 00:25:47.849 their own preparedness. Okay. What are they? 00:25:47.910 --> 00:25:50.750 First, it asks, are you prepared for the regulatory 00:25:50.750 --> 00:25:54.130 reality that methane pricing is no longer theoretical? 00:25:54.450 --> 00:25:57.930 Methane pricing becoming real. We're seeing carbon 00:25:57.930 --> 00:26:00.109 fees implemented in various sectors and regions 00:26:00.109 --> 00:26:02.509 globally, right? Yeah. And methane regulations 00:26:02.509 --> 00:26:05.650 are only going to continue to expand across agricultural 00:26:05.650 --> 00:26:08.710 sectors. So documented mitigation matters. Exactly. 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:11.759 Operations with documented heat stress mitigation 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:14.519 can demonstrate measurable emission reductions. 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:17.619 And those reductions translate directly to compliance 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:20.400 value or maybe even carbon credit revenue in 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:23.119 some markets. This isn't just a potential future. 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:25.680 It's already happening in many places, and it's 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.480 coming. Okay, that's question one. What's two? 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:30.420 Number two. Can your current genetic program 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:33.859 deliver productivity under 2030 climate conditions? 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:36.559 Back to you and medics. Yeah. If you're still 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:39.119 selecting purely for milk yield without seriously 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:42.000 considering thermal resilience, the article warns 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.839 you're essentially building vulnerabilities into 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:46.160 your herd that will become increasingly expensive 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:49.059 liabilities within this decade. Making sure your 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.279 cows are fit for purpose and the climate they 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.579 will actually be living in. We can't keep breeding 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:56.180 for ideal conditions when ideal conditions are 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:59.650 becoming rarer. Well said. And third, it pushes 00:26:59.650 --> 00:27:02.549 us to ask, do you have real -time data on the 00:27:02.549 --> 00:27:05.609 impacts of heat stress? Or are you managing by 00:27:05.609 --> 00:27:08.289 gut feel and reactive intervention? Data versus 00:27:08.289 --> 00:27:11.130 gut feel. Precision monitoring systems that can 00:27:11.130 --> 00:27:13.849 detect problems before they become visible provide 00:27:13.849 --> 00:27:16.150 the competitive intelligence needed for proactive 00:27:16.150 --> 00:27:18.529 management in this increasingly volatile climate. 00:27:18.690 --> 00:27:21.269 And this is where the technology revolution section 00:27:21.269 --> 00:27:23.690 the article mentions really highlights how critical 00:27:23.690 --> 00:27:26.549 real -time data and precision monitoring are. 00:27:26.809 --> 00:27:28.849 Absolutely. Talk about that, Tech. Well, think 00:27:28.849 --> 00:27:32.710 about it. Real -time reticular min pH and temperature 00:27:32.710 --> 00:27:35.430 monitoring systems. Inside the cow tech. Exactly. 00:27:35.529 --> 00:27:37.970 They can detect the impacts of heat stress on 00:27:37.970 --> 00:27:40.390 methane production before any visible symptoms 00:27:40.390 --> 00:27:43.890 even appear. Reticular min pH is basically a 00:27:43.890 --> 00:27:46.109 measure of the acidity in the cow's first two 00:27:46.109 --> 00:27:48.670 stomach compartments. A direct indicator of rumen 00:27:48.670 --> 00:27:52.049 health. Right. And digestive efficiency. When 00:27:52.049 --> 00:27:55.269 heat stress impacts digestion, this pH can shift, 00:27:55.490 --> 00:27:57.789 leading to less efficient fermentation and more 00:27:57.789 --> 00:28:00.109 methane. So you catch it early. Catching these 00:28:00.109 --> 00:28:02.609 changes early allows for immediate adjustments 00:28:02.609 --> 00:28:05.390 maybe in feed, water, or cooling rather than 00:28:05.390 --> 00:28:08.390 waiting for that noticeable drop in milk. It's 00:28:08.390 --> 00:28:10.089 the difference between proactive intervention 00:28:10.089 --> 00:28:13.609 and reactive damage control. Like a cardiac monitor 00:28:13.609 --> 00:28:16.329 versus waiting for chest pains. Great analogy 00:28:16.329 --> 00:28:19.789 again, yes. Similarly, activity monitoring and 00:28:19.789 --> 00:28:22.269 data analytics track individual cow responses 00:28:22.269 --> 00:28:25.259 to thermal stress. This provides early detection 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:27.440 capabilities that prevent productivity losses 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:29.819 before they even occur. Knowing which cows are 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:32.819 struggling first. Exactly. Operations using these 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:35.240 technologies are capturing significant market 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:38.059 advantages by maintaining stable production and 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:40.660 environmental performance, even as their competitors 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:43.019 struggle. They're making data -driven decisions 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:45.319 that translate into real dollars and environmental 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:47.480 benefits. This sounds transformative, honestly. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.880 And the article doesn't just present the problem 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:52.779 and the solutions. It even gives us a practical 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:56.579 72 -hour action plan and a five -minute heat 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:59.019 stress audit. Oh, practical steps. Good. Yeah, 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:01.059 to help our listeners benchmark their vulnerability 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:04.119 and start making changes immediately. It really 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:06.079 breaks down the first concrete steps you can 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.779 take. Okay, let's break that down for everyone 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:09.559 listening because these are practical steps you 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:11.700 can implement on your farm. Right now. First, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:14.839 for this week, meaning like in the next 72 hours, 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:17.839 the article urges you to audit your current heat 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:21.119 abatement systems using their simple five -minute 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:23.599 assessment. What does that involve? Can you measure 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:27.720 200 plus feet per minute airflow at cow resting 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:31.359 height in your three highest traffic areas? Think 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:34.740 freestall barn, holding pen, and the parlor exit 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:36.920 lane. 200 feet per minute. That's the benchmark. 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.480 That's the benchmark. If you can't hit that, 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:41.180 the article states pretty bluntly, you're losing 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:43.940 money and increasing emissions every day above 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:47.220 68 THI. Wow. Okay, so that's a direct measurable 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:49.640 loss you can start to address right now. It's 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:51.720 about knowing your baseline. Exactly. Know where 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:54.720 you stand. That's a quick, tangible check. Then, 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:57.599 looking a bit further out, for this month, what 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:59.950 should producers be focusing on? For this month, 00:30:00.049 --> 00:30:02.849 the recommendation is to install real -time THI 00:30:02.849 --> 00:30:07.609 monitoring with alerts set at 68 THI. Don't wait 00:30:07.609 --> 00:30:10.289 for that outdated 80 -degree threshold. Get the 00:30:10.289 --> 00:30:13.029 early warning system. Get the early warning system. 00:30:13.089 --> 00:30:15.710 This proactive alert is crucial for intervention 00:30:15.710 --> 00:30:18.730 before things get bad. You'll also want to contact 00:30:18.730 --> 00:30:21.109 your genetic supplier. Talk about heat tolerance. 00:30:21.390 --> 00:30:24.490 Yeah. Discuss incorporating heat tolerance breeding 00:30:24.490 --> 00:30:27.410 values into your selection program. And ask for 00:30:27.410 --> 00:30:29.690 genomic heat tolerance scores for your current 00:30:29.690 --> 00:30:32.549 sire lineup. This starts that crucial genetic 00:30:32.549 --> 00:30:35.089 shift in your herd, preparing for future conditions. 00:30:35.470 --> 00:30:37.509 Making informed decisions on your next breeding 00:30:37.509 --> 00:30:39.930 choices. Right. And finally, looking a bit further 00:30:39.930 --> 00:30:43.029 down the road, maybe for this quarter, what should 00:30:43.029 --> 00:30:45.180 be on the strategic agenda? For this quarter, 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:47.220 the article advises calculating your current 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:49.019 methane baseline and your heat stress economic 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:51.480 impact using that ROI framework we discussed 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:53.859 earlier. Get the financial picture clear. Exactly. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:56.500 See your current vulnerability and the potential 00:30:56.500 --> 00:31:00.240 gains from investment. Then develop a three -year 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:02.539 cooling infrastructure plan. And critically, 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:06.099 make sure it actively qualifies for USDA cost 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:08.660 share programs like EQIP. Leveraging those support 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:11.220 programs. Absolutely. These programs can provide 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:13.920 significant financial assistance. maybe covering 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:17.480 up to 75 % of qualified improvements. That makes 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.700 these vital investments much more accessible, 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:22.240 especially for smaller farms that might face 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:24.480 higher capital hurdles. It's about strategic 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:27.079 planning and using the resources available. Precisely. 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:29.700 The bottom line from the article seems really 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:33.880 clear and... Pretty urgent. It states, that 90 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:36.220 -degree day scenario isn't a future threat. It's 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:38.740 happening right now. It's here. The research's 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:41.400 unequivocal heat stress is this devastating double 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:44.019 impact on dairy operations. Cows are producing 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:46.880 up to 23 % more methane per gallon while making 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.440 significantly less milk. Not just a summer comfort 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.519 issue. Not at all. It's a year -round threat 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:53.720 to both profitability and environmental compliance 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:56.740 that will only intensify as climate change accelerates. 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:59.079 Strategic heat abatement, though, it solves both 00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:01.609 problems simultaneously. Delivering that three 00:32:01.609 --> 00:32:04.589 to one or even better return. By maintaining 00:32:04.589 --> 00:32:07.170 rumen efficiency, which keeps methane intensity 00:32:07.170 --> 00:32:09.809 low while protecting milk production. And the 00:32:09.809 --> 00:32:12.190 final powerful message the article leaves us 00:32:12.190 --> 00:32:14.309 with is, well, it's a direct challenge to action, 00:32:14.410 --> 00:32:17.130 isn't it? It is. It says, your competitors are 00:32:17.130 --> 00:32:19.349 already making these investments. The question 00:32:19.349 --> 00:32:23.369 is, will you lead or follow? It's a call to proactive 00:32:23.369 --> 00:32:26.069 leadership, urging producers to see this challenge 00:32:26.069 --> 00:32:28.849 not as a burden, but maybe as a competitive opportunity. 00:32:29.390 --> 00:32:32.539 Okay. So, after all that, I mean, that was a 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:34.900 lot of incredible information and practical advice. 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:38.400 What's the absolute key takeaway? What's the 00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:40.740 core message you want a farmer listening today 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:43.059 to walk away with? Yeah, it's a lot to digest. 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:45.859 But the overarching message is unequivocally 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:48.750 this. Heat stress management is not just a seasonal 00:32:48.750 --> 00:32:51.630 cost. It is a critical, profitable investment. 00:32:51.829 --> 00:32:54.410 Investment, not cost. For both immediate farm 00:32:54.410 --> 00:32:56.930 profitability and long -term environmental compliance. 00:32:57.150 --> 00:32:59.390 It's about shifting from a reactive approach 00:32:59.390 --> 00:33:03.549 to proactive, strategic action. So here are the 00:33:03.549 --> 00:33:05.170 key insights you should be walking away with 00:33:05.170 --> 00:33:07.529 today. Think of these as actionable points for 00:33:07.529 --> 00:33:09.869 your own operation. So here are the key insights 00:33:09.869 --> 00:33:11.789 you should be walking away with today. Think 00:33:11.789 --> 00:33:13.990 of these as actionable points for your own operation. 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:17.500 First, you absolutely need to rethink your threshold. 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:20.440 ditch the 80 degrees. Challenge that long -held 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:23.480 80 degree F comfort zone myth. Research confirms 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:25.980 metabolic disruption where the real damage begins 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:30.119 occurs much earlier at just 68 THI. That 12 degree 00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:32.519 blind spot. Exactly. That creates a significant 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:35.019 12 degree blind spot that quietly costs average 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:37.759 500 cow operations anywhere from $15 ,000 to 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:40.359 $25 ,000 annually in hidden penalties and losses 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:42.680 you just won't see in obvious daily metrics. 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:45.720 You absolutely need real -time THI monitoring 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:48.240 with alerts set at 60 degrees to catch these 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:51.119 issues early. Okay, number one, monitor at 68 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:54.660 THI. What's next? Second, invest in precision 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:58.400 cooling to unlock carbon value. Strategic cooling, 00:33:58.559 --> 00:34:00.500 like those precision fan systems maintaining 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:03.220 200 plus feet per minute airflow at cow resting 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:05.400 height. The benchmark. They deliver a proven 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:07.819 a three to one ROI or better by preventing production, 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:10.860 reproductive and health losses. And crucially, 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:14.059 the article highlights that documented 20, 25 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:17.059 percent methane intensity reductions create measurable 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:19.460 compliance value as carbon pricing initiatives 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:22.300 expand. So it's economic and environmental value. 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:24.900 Right. These systems aren't just about cow comfort. 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:26.980 They're about economic advantage and demonstrating 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:29.519 environmental responsibility. Got it. Third point. 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:32.000 Third, you must future -proof your genetics. 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:35.039 Don't just brood for milk yield anymore. Proactively 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:37.420 incorporate genomic selection for heat tolerance 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:39.619 into your breeding program. Use the genomics. 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:42.619 Use the tools. Traits like the SLIC acaclotype 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:45.079 and general heat tolerance breeding values, with 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:48.059 heritability estimates from 0 .13 to 0 .17, they 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:50.380 can be integrated without compromising milk production 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:53.130 potential. And testing is affordable. Genomic 00:34:53.130 --> 00:34:56.489 testing costs are below $60 per animal now, and 00:34:56.489 --> 00:35:00.349 they offer that remarkable 150 -200 % ROI by 00:35:00.349 --> 00:35:02.829 protecting your genetic investments and ensuring 00:35:02.829 --> 00:35:04.989 productivity under changing climate conditions 00:35:04.989 --> 00:35:08.510 well into 2030 and beyond. This is about building 00:35:08.510 --> 00:35:11.170 a herd resilient to tomorrow's realities. Makes 00:35:11.170 --> 00:35:13.699 sense. What's number four? Fourth, for small 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:16.139 farms, immediate action is crucial and accessible. 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:19.420 The data clearly shows smaller farms, under 100 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:23.340 cows, suffer disproportionately. Remember, 50 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:26.340 % higher daily yield losses during extreme heat. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:28.739 Yeah, that was stark. This disparity is often 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:31.360 due to high capital costs for mitigation. But 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:33.579 don't let that deter you. Resources like USDA 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:36.920 EQIP funding can cover up to 75 % of qualified 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:39.019 cooling improvements. Oh, ELP is available. It 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:41.480 makes adaptation accessible for strategic implementation. 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:44.199 It can help prevent a climate -driven consolidation 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:47.119 crisis that threatens family operations. Look 00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:49.739 into those programs now. Okay, good advice. And 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:52.440 the final key insight. And finally, number five. 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:56.079 Proactive data -driven management is imperative. 00:35:57.130 --> 00:36:00.289 Climate models predict significant, large increases 00:36:00.289 --> 00:36:03.269 in heat stress frequency, severity, duration. 00:36:03.670 --> 00:36:08.329 Maybe 100, 300 annual heat stress days by 2050 00:36:08.329 --> 00:36:10.869 in some regions. The future nodder. Embracing 00:36:10.869 --> 00:36:13.190 real -time monitoring technologies lets you detect 00:36:13.190 --> 00:36:15.889 issues before visible symptoms appear. This enables 00:36:15.889 --> 00:36:18.050 proactive intervention that maintains consistent 00:36:18.050 --> 00:36:20.510 production and environmental performance. This 00:36:20.510 --> 00:36:22.309 isn't just about survival, it's about securing 00:36:22.309 --> 00:36:24.570 a competitive advantage in an evolving industry. 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:28.079 Okay, those are five powerful takeaways. So maybe 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:29.619 a final thought to leave our listeners with. 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:32.539 Consider this. If unmitigated heat stress is 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:34.719 costing the U .S. dairy industry up to $1 .5 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:37.739 billion annually and could be reducing your individual 00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:41.519 farm profits by maybe $264 per cow per year, 00:36:41.679 --> 00:36:44.739 what specific measurable steps will you take 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:47.159 in the next 72 hours this month or this quarter 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:49.380 to transform heat management from a liability 00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:51.519 into a competitive advantage for your operation? 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:54.420 Great points. And I think that's about all the 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:55.920 time we have for today's deep dive. It was a 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:58.219 lot to cover. It certainly was. For more articles 00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:59.980 and insights that matter to dairy producers, 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:04.659 be sure to visit www .thebullvine .com. And don't 00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:06.340 forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:09.300 so you never miss a deep dive into the latest 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:11.800 in dairy. Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening 00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:15.300 to the Bullvine Podcast. Remember, managing heat 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:17.800 stress is more than an animal welfare concern. 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:21.320 It's a profitability and sustainability imperative. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:24.659 Take the insights you heard today, audit your 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:27.340 heat abatement systems, and start turning climate 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:30.780 challenges into competitive advantages. Subscribe, 00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:34.199 share, and join us next time for more sharp dairy 00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:36.960 industry analysis to keep you informed and ahead 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.400 of the curve.