Summer is fast approaching, bringing its advantages but also increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures. For ruminants, this is a particularly stressful time and at the same time a crucial period for herd performance. It is essential to prepare your animals now to avoid the damaging effects of hyperoxidation on their physiological balance.
Position VERTAL VALORIZ ahead of the summer period to ensure animal well-being and maintain productivity.
Why is summer stressful for ruminants?
Ruminants tolerate cold better than high temperatures. From 25°C onwards, combined with humidity levels above 50%, a high-producing dairy cow begins to suffer from heat stress. With climate change, these conditions are becoming increasingly common. It is not only high daytime temperatures that cause problems, but also prolonged heat lasting more than 24 hours.
Thermoregulation requires a great deal of energy: subcutaneous blood flow increases to maintain body temperature at around 38°C, which raises the animal’s maintenance requirements and leads to an increase in heart and respiratory rates. In addition, metabolic acidosis becomes a significant risk during this period.
How do ruminants behave in hot weather?
During periods of heat, ruminants adopt specific behaviours:
- Increased water intake.
- Reduced movement to drink and feed.
- Decreased appetite, even though energy requirements increase for thermoregulation.
- Dry rations become less palatable and forages ferment more rapidly.
- A tendency to avoid fibre, as its digestion generates additional heat.
What are the consequences of heat stress on ruminants?
These behaviours lead to:
- Reduced feed intake and nutritional imbalance.
- Lower milk yield and reduced milk fat content.
- Decreased fertility and reduced oestrus expression.
- Risk of subclinical acidosis due to insufficient fibre intake.
- Weakened immune system.
- Hoof health issues linked to acidosis.
Solutions to counter the effects of heat on your herds
Here are some measures to protect your ruminants:
- Limit direct exposure to sunlight using insulating covers and appropriate ventilation systems.
- Remove transparent materials that create a greenhouse effect.
- Ventilate and sprinkle animals while waiting in the milking parlour.
- Ensure easy and frequent access to clean water points.
- Split feed rations and distribute them during the coolest hours of the day.
The importance of VERTAL VALORIZ
VERTAL VALORIZ is essential for maintaining optimal rumen balance and supporting liver function during periods of heat stress. It helps stabilise rumen pH and RedOx levels, allowing beneficial microbial flora to remain active despite dietary disruptions. In addition, VERTAL VALORIZ supports liver function, which is crucial for eliminating excess metabolites and managing body reserves during intense heat.
Investing €0.15 per cow per day in VERTAL VALORIZ is a sound decision to prevent losses in milk yield, milk components and fertility caused by heatwaves.
Provide your cows with a proven solution to effectively counter the effects of heatwaves and maintain their well-being throughout the summer.
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Summer is fast approaching, bringing its advantages but also increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures. For ruminants, this is a particularly stressful time and at the same time a crucial period for herd performance. It is essential to prepare your animals now to avoid the damaging effects of hyperoxidation on their physiological balance. Position VERTAL […]
...Summer is fast approaching, bringing its advantages but also increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures. For ruminants, this is a particularly stressful time and at the same time a crucial period for herd performance. It is essential to prepare your animals now to avoid the damaging effects of hyperoxidation on their physiological balance. Position VERTAL […]
...Summer is fast approaching, bringing its advantages but also increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures. For ruminants, this is a particularly stressful time and at the same time a crucial period for herd performance. It is essential to prepare your animals now to avoid the damaging effects of hyperoxidation on their physiological balance. Position VERTAL […]
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