Summer Heat Stress In Dairy Cows Implications


The milk production of a milch cow depends a lot on the diet. It is a proven fact that if animals are fed a balanced diet, their milk production can increase by up to 50%. Especially in summer, one should give milch cows such a diet that produces minimum energy in the animal’s body. Typically, green fodder of jowar, bajra or maize is often available to feed a milch cow in summer. We should keep in mind to only provide green fodder mixture to milch cows.

Because green fodder in the animal’s stomach reduces the proportion of acetic, propionic acid, and it produces less heat in the animal’s body. Using those grains in the feed mixture produces more propionic acid, for this, the grains are the main ones. Do not use oilseed cake. Give feed and feed to milch cows in the ratio of 40:60.

Protein

No compound for life is as essential as protein. If there is a deficiency of protein in the ratio of milch cows, it affects the milk production immediately. Giving the calf a high crude protein diet makes its first conception rate will be low (24.1 to 41.09%). Thus, this affects the ability to conceive.

By feeding more protein-rich ration in summer averts the nutritional deficiency of dry fodder which te cows eat less in summer. Normally the ratio should contain 18% or less.

According to research done, for every 100 grams of protein secreted in milk, it will be necessary to provide about 130 to 160 grams of protein so that the heat generated after digestion of food is minimal.

Fat

While calculating the ratio for milch cows, give nutrients in addition to the maintenance requirements as an allowance for milk production. One thing to note is that the energy requirement for maintenance in milking cows is 15 to 20% more than that of milking cows. There should be 5 to 6% fat in the diet, for this cotton wool will have uses (12 to 15%).

Mineral mixture

During summer, excreting minerals from the body in sweat or another form is far more easy, resulting in their deficiency. Therefore, before the onset of summer, the amount of mineral mixture in the ratio should be higher than normal. This includes increasing the amount of potassium from 1.3 to 1.5%, the amount of sodium by 0.5 to 0.6%, and the amount of magnesium by 0.3 to 0.4%. So that when needed, the number of mineral salts can be easily met. The chlorine content should remain at 0.25% throughout the year.

Vitamins

Most scientists believe that increasing amounts of vitamins in the diet should be given during summer. If the farmers keep giving 1000 International Units of Vitamin-A, 50000 Vitamin-D, and 500 Vitamin-E, then there is no need to increase the quantity. The amount of vitamin D needed is made from sunlight, so there is no need to give extra. Similarly, if the cow is being given fresh greens, then there is no need to give additional vitamin E.

Edible supplement

Ingredients or mixtures of ingredients that are added to or made part of basic food to meet a specific need. They are usually used in very subtle parts. Sodium bicarbonate, for example, maintains the fat content in milk at 0.4% when fed only on dry feed, or 5 to 6 oz per cow. If products made from East culture and fungi are included in the diet of the cow, then it is beneficial in summer.

Feeding of milch cows in summer- Basic principles of feeding

  • As far as possible, feed your animals every feed in the evening, so that energy loss is minimized and maximum energy can be used in milk production.
  • The ratio of grain to fodder in the diet of a milch cow should be 40:60.
  • Give freshly harvested fodder or silage to the cows to eat.
  • By getting high quality fodder at the right time, the target should be 60-63 percent in green fodder containing digestive elements.
  • Increasing the amount of protein in the diet with more bipartisan feed. Target – 13-14% protein content in the feed material.
  • Use 2% salt in the feed mixture.
  • In summer, you must give water to your animals at least 3 times, milk also contains 85% water. Milking animals require more water.
  • To determine the feeding sequence on economic basis.
  • As far as possible, tie the cow in a shady place as far as possible.

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