Feeding Techniques for Dairy Cows in Hot Summer Weather
Feeding Techniques for Dairy Cows in Hot Summer Temperatures
In summer, when temperatures are high and the weather is hot, dairy cows are highly prone to heat stress. To reduce the adverse effects of high temperatures on dairy cows, in addition to taking corresponding measures in dairy farm construction, feeding management and disease prevention, necessary feeding regulation must also be carried out to ensure the safety of dairy cow rearing and breeding benefits.
1. Feed green, succulent forage
Green, succulent forage is rich in carbohydrates and water. It is not only highly palatable but also quenches thirst, and is very beneficial for preventing heat and cooling down and alleviating heat stress in dairy cows. On the premise of ensuring sufficient dry matter intake, feeding an appropriate amount of high-quality green grass, carrots, winter melon, watermelon, potatoes, etc. is beneficial for increasing milk yield and improving milk fat percentage in dairy cows. For concentrate feed, more palatable feeds such as wheat bran and soybean meal can be fed.
2. Feed thin porridge feed
Replace part of the concentrate feed for dairy cows with porridge feed. Use 1.5 kg of concentrate feed and 1.5-2.5 kg of carrots, add water and boil into a porridge, let it cool, then pour it over silage and feed it. This can increase the urine output of dairy cows and carry away more heat from the cow's body.
3. Feed mung bean soup
Mung bean soup has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and preventing heat and cooling down. Farms and households with the conditions should give dairy cows mung bean soup in summer. Use 1-1.5 kg of fresh mung beans, add 4-5 kg of water, boil for 1-2 hours, add to clean drinking water, and let them drink once a day.
4. Supplement potassium chloride
When dairy cows suffer heat stress, potassium excretion increases significantly, causing the potassium content in the blood to decrease, so potassium must be supplemented. Generally, potassium chloride can be added to the drinking water or diet of dairy cows, with an addition amount of 60-80 grams per cow per day.
5. Supplement sodium bicarbonate
Supplementing sodium bicarbonate helps maintain the acid-base balance in the dairy cow's body, also has a digestive aid effect, and can increase the feed intake of dairy cows. The amount of sodium bicarbonate used generally accounts for 3.84% of the concentrate, or 340 grams per cow per day. Using it together with citric acid gives better results. Note that when using sodium bicarbonate, the amount of salt should be appropriately reduced.
6. Supplement vitamin C
When dairy cows suffer heat stress, their ability to synthesize vitamin C decreases, while their requirement for it increases. Therefore, in hot summer, attention should be paid to supplementing vitamin C for dairy cows. During heat stress, vitamin C can also inhibit the rise in body temperature of dairy cows, promote appetite and improve disease resistance. In summer, 0.04-0.06% vitamin C can generally be added to dairy cow feed.
7. Supplement vitamin E
Vitamin E can prevent the oxidation and destruction of fat in the dairy cow's body, prevent the formation of oxides in the body, and also prevent other vitamins from being oxidized, promoting the absorption of vitamin A and vitamin D in the intestinal tract. In summer, 3-5 times the normal amount of vitamin E can be added to the feed to reduce the probability of heat stress in dairy cows.
1. Feed green, succulent forage
Green, succulent forage is rich in carbohydrates and water. It is not only highly palatable but also quenches thirst, and is very beneficial for preventing heat and cooling down and alleviating heat stress in dairy cows. On the premise of ensuring sufficient dry matter intake, feeding an appropriate amount of high-quality green grass, carrots, winter melon, watermelon, potatoes, etc. is beneficial for increasing milk yield and improving milk fat percentage in dairy cows. For concentrate feed, more palatable feeds such as wheat bran and soybean meal can be fed.
2. Feed thin porridge feed
Replace part of the concentrate feed for dairy cows with porridge feed. Use 1.5 kg of concentrate feed and 1.5-2.5 kg of carrots, add water and boil into a porridge, let it cool, then pour it over silage and feed it. This can increase the urine output of dairy cows and carry away more heat from the cow's body.
3. Feed mung bean soup
Mung bean soup has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and preventing heat and cooling down. Farms and households with the conditions should give dairy cows mung bean soup in summer. Use 1-1.5 kg of fresh mung beans, add 4-5 kg of water, boil for 1-2 hours, add to clean drinking water, and let them drink once a day.
4. Supplement potassium chloride
When dairy cows suffer heat stress, potassium excretion increases significantly, causing the potassium content in the blood to decrease, so potassium must be supplemented. Generally, potassium chloride can be added to the drinking water or diet of dairy cows, with an addition amount of 60-80 grams per cow per day.
5. Supplement sodium bicarbonate
Supplementing sodium bicarbonate helps maintain the acid-base balance in the dairy cow's body, also has a digestive aid effect, and can increase the feed intake of dairy cows. The amount of sodium bicarbonate used generally accounts for 3.84% of the concentrate, or 340 grams per cow per day. Using it together with citric acid gives better results. Note that when using sodium bicarbonate, the amount of salt should be appropriately reduced.
6. Supplement vitamin C
When dairy cows suffer heat stress, their ability to synthesize vitamin C decreases, while their requirement for it increases. Therefore, in hot summer, attention should be paid to supplementing vitamin C for dairy cows. During heat stress, vitamin C can also inhibit the rise in body temperature of dairy cows, promote appetite and improve disease resistance. In summer, 0.04-0.06% vitamin C can generally be added to dairy cow feed.
7. Supplement vitamin E
Vitamin E can prevent the oxidation and destruction of fat in the dairy cow's body, prevent the formation of oxides in the body, and also prevent other vitamins from being oxidized, promoting the absorption of vitamin A and vitamin D in the intestinal tract. In summer, 3-5 times the normal amount of vitamin E can be added to the feed to reduce the probability of heat stress in dairy cows.