Beware of Heat Stress in Summer

Summer is approaching, and the issue of heat stress caused by prolonged high temperatures remains a pressing concern in animal husbandry. The deleterious effects of heat stress on ruminant performance are significant, with even brief exposure to elevated temperatures resulting in losses and diminished productive efficacy if prompt remedial measures are not taken.

What is heat stress? It refers to the non-specific physiological response of livestock and poultry to cope with external high temperature environments that are detrimental to their homeostasis and stability.

To determine if animals are experiencing heat stress, please refer to the image

provided below.

Heat stress poses a significant threat to bovine welfare, with specific consequences including： Dairy cattle's annual yield can be reduced by 10-15%, and in extreme weather conditions, the yield per unit area may decrease by over 50%. The decline is more significant with higher yields per unit area.

1. Feed efficiency (milk production/dry matter intake) decreased as a result of an increase in temperature from 0 to 40°C, which led to elevated maintenance energy requirements and reduced feed intake, milk production, and feed efficiency.

2. Abnormal milk indicators such as low milk acidity, abnormal milk protein content, alcohol-positive milk samples, and increased somatic cell counts were observed.

3. Under heat stress, cows typically exhibit premature parturition (10-14 days earlier), experience a 10%-15% increase in calf mortality, and suffer from compromised milk production during the post-dry period.

4. The pregnancy rate of cows significantly decreases during heat stress.

5. Calves born under these conditions have reduced birth weights by 15%, which leads to decreased weight gain and weaning weights that can have lifelong effects on the health of cows.?

6. The immune function was impaired, leading to inhibited proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes as well as reduced production and absorption of immune antibodies.

7. making adult dairy cows more susceptible to perinatal diseases, ruminal acidosis, laminitis/lameness, mastitis and other health issues with an increased elimination rate exceeding 15%.

What measures can be taken to prevent and control heat stress? We will discuss more about the prevention and control strategies in our next session.?

What is Smartglu？

Smartglu is a bio-availabile glucose supplement to ruminant through double coating technology , quickly supply energy and relieve the negative energy balance of dairy cows caused by the lactation increase in postpartum.

Features and Benefits

1) High rumen protected rate and intestinal release rate

2) High stability to lower down moisture absorption

How about the effect of Smartglu？

SmartGlu regulate negative energy balance of dairy cows, significantly improved

milk yield and milk nutrient content.

Product detail：product detail (vegafeed.com)