Managing in the heat
Hot season strategies
Milking times
Walking cows to the dairy during the hottest part of the day (about 3pm) adds to their heat loads.
Delaying afternoon milking until 5pm may increase milk yield by up to 1.5 litres per day, regardless of whether the cows are sprinkled with water while in the dairy.
On hot days, be sure to milk and feed cows before 10am. On heat wave days, have it done by 9am. This can be difficult to achieve, but try to offer feed to cows as soon as they exit the dairy. Have the paddock or feed-out area ready and ensure that every cow gets a fair go.
Milking later in the afternoon during the hot season is one way to help cows manage their heat load.
Review current practices. What could change?
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Low risk
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Moderate risk
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High risk
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Cups-on time in the afternoon during the hot season?
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5pm or later
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4 to 5pm
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Before 4pm
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Distance the herd typically walk from feed to the dairy in the afternoon during the hot season?
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Less than 1 km
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1-2 km
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More than 2 km
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General terrain on the farm’s milking area?
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Flat
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Gently undulating
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Undulating to steep
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Do you sprinkle cows in the dairy yard before afternoon milking during hot conditions?
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Yes
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Sometimes
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No
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Do you sprinkle cows in the dairy yard before morning milking during hot conditions?
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Yes
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Sometimes
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No
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Let cows take their time and drink from water
troughs as they make their way to and from the dairy.
