Dairy farming plays a vital role in global food production and rural livelihoods. However, one often overlooked factor silently reducing productivity in dairy animals is heat stress. With rising global temperatures and climate variability, heat stress has become a major challenge for dairy farmers worldwide.
Heat stress occurs when the environmental temperature and humidity exceed the animal's ability to dissipate body heat, resulting in elevated body temperature and physiological distress. Dairy cattle, particularly high-yielding cows and buffaloes, are highly vulnerable to heat stress due to their high metabolic rates.
The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is widely used to assess the level of heat stress. A THI value above 72 is considered stressful for dairy animals.
The impact of heat stress is both direct and indirect, affecting animal health, productivity, and farm profitability.
Heat stress significantly reduces milk production in dairy animals. This occurs primarily due to decreased feed intake, altered metabolism, and energy being diverted toward maintaining body temperature rather than milk production.
Heat stress disrupts the hormonal balance required for reproduction, leading to reduced expression of estrus, poor conception rates, early embryonic loss, and increased days open.
Animals under heat stress tend to eat less and spend more time seeking shade or water. This reduces energy intake, leading to negative energy balance, body condition loss, and increased risk of metabolic disorders.
Heat-stressed animals are more prone to health complications such as mastitis and other metabolic disorders like ketosis and milk fever, and reproductive disorders such as retained placenta and uterine infections.
Heat stress significantly affects animal comfort and welfare. Animals may exhibit signs of restlessness, panting, drooling, and reduced activity. If unmanaged, prolonged heat stress compromises overall health and well-being, further impacting productivity.
Heat stress is a silent but significant challenge in dairy farming, affecting milk yield, fertility, health, and overall animal welfare. With global temperatures on the rise, proactive heat stress management is essential for sustainable dairy production. Farmers must adopt a combination of housing modifications, nutritional strategies, and good management practices to protect their animals from heat stress and safeguard farm profitability.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for educational purposes. Consult a qualified veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment protocols.