Helping Dairy Producers Beat the Heat

Nutrition Update
Volume 9 No.2, August 1998

Many dairy producers will notice a decline in the milk they ship during periods of high high temperatures. Researchers at the University of Manitoba are currently working to reduce the production losses associated with theses periods of heat stress.

Although the effect of heat stress has been well-documented in tropical and subtropical climates, there has been little work done to characterize the effects of short term heat stress in temperate climates, such as that found in Manitoba.

With the support from the Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Manitoba Milk Producers' and Manitoba Agriculture and Food, Karin Wittenberg and Alma Kennedy from the Department of Animal Science will be conducting several studies to not only characterize the effect of short term heat stress, but also to alleviate the associated decrease in production by modifying feeding strategy.

The characterization component of the research is being conducted in several commercial herds in the Estern/Interlake Regions, as well as the University's herd in Glenlea. The feeding trails, which have been conducted in the Animal Science Research Unit, will determine if the time of day of feeding, a reduction in the level of fibre in the ration or the addition of a fungal extract, can alleviate the deleterious effects associated with heat stress.

Results from these studies will be summarized and available to producers in time for next year's hot season.

 

For More Information contact your Local Specialist or MAFRI GO Teams Office or Centre.