THERE is nothing like a cool shower on a hot summer’s night, but for the cows at Glowrey’s Dairy in Swan Hill it’s all part of the daily grind.
With the mercury reaching more than 45C this summer, heat-stressed animals can be a real possibility.
The ideal temperature range for cattle is 5C to 25C, but with sizzling days and warm nights, there can be little respite.
According to Department of Environment and Primary Industries senior veterinary officer Mike Jeffers, as the temperature rises, it becomes more difficult for cattle to cool down.
“Once it gets in to summer, [the cows] know that if they come up to the sheds the sprinkler will be switched on for them…”
“At temperatures above 27C, cattle have to divert energy away from production to cool themselves,” Dr Jeffers said.
“This is done via heat loss through their surface skin and respiratory tract.
“Feed intake is also reduced and as the temperature rises above 32C a decrease in milk production may be observed.”
For the past 16 years, the dairy cows at Glowrey’s have enjoyed the cooling effects of water during hot summer days.
On any given day, in a pen that backs up to the dairy, up to 1000 head can be found enjoying a cooldown under the sprinkler system that hangs above them.
The water remains around a refreshing 20C to 22C.
“Because we have got more prolonged hot temperatures here in Swan Hill, the most commonly asked question is ‘how are the cows dealing with the heat?’,” Matt Glowrey said.
“Once it gets in to summer, [the cows] know that if they come up to the sheds the sprinkler will be switched on for them.”
Matt said the cows may spend several hours under the sprinklers and, as the droplets run down their bodies, the heat is drawn with it.
The water is then reused on paddocks.
For the full story, read February’s North West Farmer inside Wednesday’s copy of The Guardian (February 12).
