The weather this June has been challenging for the UK. We had a heatwave just last week and saw the hottest day of the year record broken twice in quick succession. The new high was a sweltering 33.2 degrees Celsius. There were weather warnings about the risk to life. We then had a scattering of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Now we’re facing another period of hot weather. All of this is causing problems, especially for farmers. They need to prioritise the wellbeing of animals. A change to animal feed may be necessary here, especially for cattle at risk of heat stress.

Struggling with the heat

All animals can suffer from heat stress to some degree. Some are more susceptible because they have a poorer ability to regulate their internal temperature. If an animal suffers heat stress, it can lead to changes in behaviour including not eating as much. It can also worsen medical conditions. In the worst cases, it can lead to death.

Cattle are highly susceptible to heat stress, especially dairy cows. They typically prefer temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius. When the temperature is over 20 degrees Celsius, they can start to experience stress. You need to pay particular attention if it is over 22 Celsius and 60% humidity; it can have a big impact on fertility and milk production.

There are a number of things to keep an eye on that could indicate cattle are suffering heat stress. Panting and spending more time standing are both common indicators. If they are seeking cooler, shaded spots, that is a warning too. Most importantly, if they stop eating as much dry matter, you know there is a problem. Monitor animal feed to see if this is the case.

What to do?

Nutrition is really important if you have concerns about cattle and heat stress. You may need to make some changes to feed to support the animals.

The most important thing to keep in mind is sugar, starch and fibre generates heat during digestion. So, a good idea is to swap for more fats that don’t cause heating. Make sure you have a good fatty acid profile here, prioritising fats to improve body condition, provide energy, and boost milk production.

You should also think about changing the animal feed strategy. Feeding twice a day is a great idea to ensure feeds are fresher. If animals reject a feed, make sure you get rid of it. Feeding late in the day when it is cooler is wise too. Plus, make sure you monitor the conditions and act when the risk level increases.

High quality forage is a must for high yielding cows. They have the highest risk of heat stress. You don’t want to exacerbate this with low quality forages that generate a lot of heat. The goal should be to provide quality forage to maintain rumen activity.

Finally, make sure you provide enough water. Intake can increase massively when animals suffer heat stress. It can be as much as 30% with cows. What you may find here is more competition at troughs, with some animals getting bullied away. So, make sure you provide more water, ensuring it is clean and fresh. Space troughs out so animals aren’t grouping together and getting hotter.

Talk to us and order animal feed

The weather is becoming more of an issue in the UK as we get more heatwaves, flooding, and other problems. It is important to think about the impact on animals, especially heat. If you don’t, health conditions, lost production, and animal losses can have a massive impact.

JS Hubbuck Ltd strives to give farmers the best support when it comes to animal feed. We have fantastic products from top producers. Crucially, we have all the relevant details, including nutritional content. As a result, we can help clients to ensure their animals will get the nutrients and minerals they need for health, productivity, reproduction, and more. This is even more important in hotter months with a higher risk of heat stress.

So, get in touch if you want details or would like to place an order.