Question: We have tried everything to eliminate heat stress in our herd but summertime production still drops 10 to 14 pounds of milk. Should we be considering anything else to reduce this much milk loss? Normally the beginning of May doesn’t inspire this type of question, but then again early May seldom hits temperatures in the upper 80’s like we just experienced. Barn Owl 2000™ allows us to look at the past four years in the above graph. We see that indeed milk production bottoms out each year during July and August. “■» ■ ; MM Em vUmI Um 1 Painted, Galvanize and Stainless Steel Fabrication, Feed Sins, Feeders, Hoppers, Covers, Dump Pits, Augers, and Control Systems to Automate Your Operation. What if we could prevent half of this downward production trend? When we do everything we know to prevent problems concerning heat stress and seem to make little progress, maybe we should shift our focus. In this case there is the possibility that nothing more is to gain by addressing the milking herd. We can change our thinking a bit and look at the heat stress of our dry cows. I looked at the DHIA records for this same time frame with my focus on milk levels at the start of the lactation for mature cows Herd Summary II contains information regarding production on the first test day m the section Lebanon, PA 17042 Phomi . e-maH: af»® nbft.com labeled “Profile Of Cows By Days In Milk”. Here we can calculate that cows that freshen from November to April milk 98# on their first test day. This compares to 84# for cows that freshen May to October This is no big surprise when we know that heat stress will be much more devastating on these early lactation cows. These same cows show a 3000# advantage in 305 day production when they calve during the cooler months. Managing cows that calve during inclement weather poses some unique challenges. This summer may be a good time to maintain what we currently are doing for the milking herd to relieve heat stress but add the extra dimension of heat stress management for dry cows. Improving comfort, increasing dry matter intake, and reducing stress are not just milking cow priorities, they are meant for everyone We already have information through our DHIA reports that may help us focus on times and conditions when cows may not produce as we know they are capable of If we use this information we can develop a plan that may be a bit different than our customary management, but who cares? Sometimes we need to change before our cows can. 1 70- SO \ I > I I 1 i i' I r m • '• "—I I |‘ I 1 I 1 I I I ■ ■ T'. I I I 03/02/1996 06/31/1996 03/01/1997 06/30/1997 02/28/1996 08/29/1996 02/27/1999 06/26/1999 02/26/2000 The Reward^ Pasture Mat is tightly stuffed with . Better Cow Health rubber and sewn every 4" to prevent . Reduced Leg Injury shlftin 9- , Reduced Swollen Hocks Proven most durable top cover. . Mom Lactatlon Per Cow . More Least abrasive top cover on the market. . Reduced Bedding Costs Fits any stall. . p as ( Ure M a fs Often Pay For Proven performance. Themselves Within 6 Months. For details and installation with over 6 years experience, call Petersheim’s Cow Mattresses 117 Christiana Pike (Route 372), Christiana, PA 17509 610-593-2242 U.S. Pat. No, 5653195 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 13, 2000-A3l Dairynuu Dairym GEORGE Cl TaatDay Avenge Milk Last 4 Yaara Pasture Mat The Golden Standard In Cow Comfort Ask For Merrill or Sam PA DHL Consultii Dairyman
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