Heat stress during summer
When temperatures rise, the pressure on your dairy cattle increases. Heat stress is more than just discomfort; it has direct and often long-lasting consequences for the health, fertility, and production of cows. Reduced feed intake, hormonal imbalances, poorer resistance, and fertility problems are just some of the risks.
Without timely and targeted measures, heat stress can seriously affect the (long term) performance of your herd and your business results.
Reduced feed intake and energy deficiency
When a cow suffers from heat stress a decrease in feed intake can be observed, even though she needs extra energy and protein. Energy and protein intake are particularly important to ensure that she continues to eat well and can use the energy from her ration to maintain various bodily processes. Since cows eat less during periods of heat stress, it is crucial to provide extra energy. This must be done before it is too late, to prevent the energy dip before it occurs.
AHV’s Solution
Booster Bolus
Booster Powder
Benefits
Promotes liver and rumen metabolism
Stimulates appetite, increases feed efficiency
More milk, improved production, fewer health issues
When to use?
1 day prior to warm weather – Booster Bolus
Administer to all high-risk animals (e.g. fresh cows, high productive cows, dry cows).
During warm weather – Booster Powder
Administer the powder as a topdress on top of the feed (100g/animal/twice daily).
Repeat if needed.
Science & Validation
Backed by Science, Trusted in the Field
Effect of Booster Bolus on postpartum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels in dairy cows
University of Minnesota, 2023.
A study was done on two dairy farms to see the effect of Booster Bolus around calving. The bolus was given to 165 cows before around freshening. The control group consisted of 160 cows.
The goal was to see if Booster reduces the risk of (sub)clinical ketosis based on BHB levels in the blood. High BHB levels can mean cows are not healthy after calving. Blood was tested one week after calving. Cows that got the Booster Bolus prior to calving had lower BHB levels (0.70 mmol/L) than those that didn’t (0.77 mmol/L). And showed a significant reduction in ketosis of 34%.
Further field trials across France, UK and Ireland including 13 farms and 348 cows showed that cows receiving Booster Tablet:
- Produced more during the first 100 days in lactation
- Spent more time ruminating
- Had improved fertility
Summer Support Video
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More about heat stress
Fresh cows
Fresh cows are already in a vulnerable period after calving, with increased energy requirements. Heat stress exacerbates this deficiency, causing hormonal imbalances and reduced fertility. The quality of the eggs decreases and the uterus becomes acidic, which reduces the chance of successful fertilization and implantation. The energy deficit causes the egg cells to develop less well and cysts to form, due to factors such as reduced hormone expression. The body temperature rises, the heat interval decreases, and heat is less clearly indicated. The uterine wall becomes acidic, reducing implantation. Heat stress can reduce the fertilization rate (normally around 90%) to 55% and early embryonic mortality is higher.
