Abstract
This publication describes the financial implications of ignoring heat stress in dry cows to assist dairy producers in decisions about installation of heat abatement measures and cooling cows in that stage of the production cycle. Written by L. T. Casarotto, J. Laporta, and G. E. Dahl, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, November 2021.
References
Collier, R. J., G. E. Dahl, and M. J. VanBaale. 2006. “Major Advances Associated with Environmental Effects on Dairy Cattle.” J. Dairy Sci. 89:1244–1253. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72193-2
Fabris, T. F., J. Laporta, A. L. Skibiel, F. N. Corra, B. Dado-Senn, S. E. Wohlgemuth, and G. E. Dahl. 2019. “Effect of Heat Stress during Early, Late, and Entire Dry Period on Dairy Cattle.” J. Dairy Sci. 102:5647–5656. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15721
Ferreira, F. C., R. S. Gennari, G. E. Dahl, and A. De Vries. 2016. “Economic Feasibility of Cooling Dry Cows across the United States.” J. Dairy Sci. 99:9931–9941. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11566
Laporta, J., F. C. Ferreira, V. Ouellet, B. Dado-Senn, A. K. Almeida, A. De Vries, and G. E. Dahl. 2020. “Late-Gestation Heat Stress Impairs Daughter and Granddaughter Lifetime Performance.” J. Dairy Sci. 103:7555–7568. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18154
Monteiro, A. P. A., S. Tao, I. M. T. Thompson, and G. E. Dahl. 2016. “In Utero Heat Stress Decreases Calf Survival and Performance through the First Lactation.” J. Dairy Sci. 99:8443–8450. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11072
Skibiel, A. L., B. Dado-Senn, T. F. Fabris, G. E. Dahl, and J. Laporta. 2018. “In Utero Exposure to Thermal Stress Has Long Term Effects on Mammary Gland Microstructure and Function in Dairy Cattle.” PLoS One 13:e0206046. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206046
St-Pierre, N. R., B. Cobanov, and G. Schnitkey. 2003. “Economic Losses from Heat Stress by U.S. Livestock Industries.” J. Dairy Sci. 86(E. Suppl.): E52–E77.
Tao, S., and G. E. Dahl. 2013. “Invited Review: Heat Stress Effect during Late Gestation on Dry Cows and Their Calves.” J. Dairy Sci. 96:4079– 4093. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6278
USDA-ERS. 2019. “Milk Cows and Production by State and Region.” Accessed July 20, 2019. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/dairy-data/