7 May, 2025

Heat stress in the barn is more than just an uncomfortable nuisance—it’s a serious threat to herd health, milk production, and overall farm profitability.

When temperatures rise, cows struggle to regulate their body heat, which can lead to reduced feed intake, lower milk yields, fertility issues, and increased risk of other health issues. Over time, prolonged exposure to high heat can compromise immune function and animal welfare.

Here are some practical ways to keep your herd cool, healthy, and productive this summer.

Optimal Ventilation Should:

• Remove the stale air from the barn
• Be noticeable on the cows, whether they are standing or lying down
• Travel at approximately 7.2 km/h (think – a gentle breeze which could rustle leaves)

Optimal Access to Water Includes:

• The water being fresh and clean at all times
• A water trough flow rate of 20 liters per minute

Additional notes:

• The recommended water trough space for free stalls is 3.5 inches per cow
• If the ventilation system is powerful enough, use sprinkler systems to spray the cows with water. Check out the video for more info on how this could work.

Optimizing Feeding Strategies can Include:

• Schedule feeding during the coolest parts of the day (morning and evening)
• Work with your Agtrek nutritionist to adjust your feed program to support resilience during hot weather
• Use products that help preserve feed quality in high temperatures (ex: TMR stabilizers, inoculants, mold inhibitors, etc.)

Monitor for Signs of Heat Stress

Easily spot signs of heat stress in your animals by counting the number of breaths per minute in several cows:

• None: < 60 breaths per minute
• Mild: 60–75 breaths per minute
• Moderate: 75–85 breaths per minute
• Moderate to Severe: 85–100 breaths per minute
• Severe: > 100 breaths per minute

Monitoring breathing rates regularly can help you respond quickly and protect herd health.

Interested in knowing more about the conditions in your barn?

Contact your Agtrek sales rep. We’ll install a Kestrel DROP Livestock Heat Monitor in your barn for ten days. This device will help us monitor the Temperature Humidity Index in your barn and enable us to make informed and actionable suggestions for the upcoming summer.

Écrit par:
Julie Lortie

Reach out to your AGTREK representative — As your nutrition and feed partner, we’re here to help you evaluate where you stand and identify adjustments that support profitability under the updated model.