Effectiveness of different strategies to prevent from heat stress in a group of dairy farms located in the Province of Padova

Abstract

Heat stress during the summer season is an important factor which can impair dairy cows physiology and productivity. A survey was carried out on a sample of 30 dairy farms of the Province of Padova to assess the effectiveness of different strategies for heat stress control. All farms used a fan cooling system but in those were a sprinkler device was also operating an increased milk yield was observed (+5.0%). Cows receiving the diet in two daily distributions (morning and evening) increased DM intake (+9.0%) and milk yield (+15.0%) in comparison to animals fed once a day. No difference, instead, were observed in farms where cows were fed once a day in the morning or in the evening. A positive milk response (+8.1%) was recorded in farms equipped with wide waterers at the exit of the milking parlour.