Keeping one’s cool in this heat

Most of the people in the Northern Hemisphere are now in the throes of summer, and like many summers now, it’s a hot one here in the UK, although we seem to consider anything above 28º C hot, while Italy and Spain regularly see temperatures above 30º. Meanwhile, July is a month of high sunshine hours and low rainfall. As we go into our next “heatwave” here in the UK (I use that loosely because I used to live in the US, where the heat was 30-plus for weeks during the summer), we need to look to more experienced areas to help alleviate the sun damage. How the hot weather places of the planet deal with the sun and how to protect our livestock from the worst effects.

Interestingly, a new study from researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has found that a single day of extreme heat can cut milk production by up to 10%. “When cows are exposed to this humid heat, often referred to as “steam bath” conditions, it takes more than 10 days for milk production to bounce back to normal levels. While nearly all of the farms the researchers surveyed had adopted cooling technologies, these efforts to adapt only offset about half of the losses on 20°C days. The hotter it gets, the less they work. On 24°C, they offset 40% of the losses. Still, the researchers found it is worth it to install cooling equipment, with farmers able to recoup the costs of installing the equipment in approximately 18 months,” the researchers noted.

For new products and equipment that can help your business, don’t forget to sign up for the Dairy Industries Expo, being held at NAEC Stoneleigh on 29-30 October. Exhibitors range from Foss (dairy testing) to the University of Strathclyde and Lechler Limited, a producer of spray nozzles for the sector. Don’t forget there will be a selection of speakers, ranging from Dr Judith Bryans of Dairy UK to Paddy Duggan of Wrap and a panel with Lantra, a provider of education for the dairy sector (among other livestock sectors). It promises to be an exciting two days, filled with networking opportunities and knowledge growth. www.dairyindustriesexpo.com

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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