How to Reduce Heat Stress in Cows

Use a spray and fan to cool your cattle

Spraying and fans are the most direct and effective methods for cooling cows. Spraying water on the cows and then using fans to force air circulation causes the water on their skin to evaporate. This evaporation process removes 0.56 kcal of heat per gram of water, effectively cooling the cows.

                                      Reasonable spray range

Recommendations for use

1. Install spraying facilities in the cowshed and implement scientific management to ensure timely spraying. Use a combination of spraying and fans in the milking parlor waiting area for environmental control. Utilize large fans in the milking area for wide coverage, energy efficiency, low operating costs, and good ventilation.

4. Implement six cooling cycles of 30 minutes each to bring a cow's body temperature back to normal.

5. Cool cows 5 to 7 times a day for 30-50 minutes, or longer durations up to 1.5 to 2 hours each time, to effectively reduce instances of overheating.

                     Fans and spraying systems in cowsheds

Looking into the milking parlor

The milking parlor is the heart of a dairy farm, and its performance is directly related to the output and quality of raw milk. In addition, the milking parlor is the area where cows move most frequently. Each cow needs to be milked 2 to 3 times a day, with an average space of only 1.6 to 2 square meters per cow.

• In summer, it is recommended that the milking parlor have 6 to 9 air changes per minute.

• In the milking parlor, where cow density is very high, particularly in hot and humid weather conditions during summer, it's crucial to pay special attention to ventilation. Generally, circulating fans are used, and in necessary situations, additional cooling spraying facilities should be installed.

• In winter, it is recommended that the milking parlor have ventilation rates of 0.1 to 0.15 air changes per minute.

• The main purpose of ventilating the waiting area in winter is to remove the moisture emitted from the cows' bodies. Under natural ventilation conditions, exhaust is achieved through doors and windows. If fan-assisted ventilation is employed, exhaust fans should be selected to prevent drawing contaminated or oily air into the milking parlor area.