Tips for Managing Dairy Animals in Summer Season

In summer the temperature rises up to 50 degree centigrade and it badly affects the dairy animals. Consequently the animals often go off feed, feverish and stressed. This affects the milk production, health and reproduction of the animal. During this season unfavorable temperature (very hot), low availability of quality greens and digestible feed are the reasons for it.

In summer the temperature rises up to 50 degree centigrade and it badly affects the dairy animals. Consequently the animals often go off feed, feverish and stressed. This affects the milk production, health and reproduction of the animal. Normal cow and buffalo body temperature ranges between 101-102 degree Fahrenheit and suitable ambient temperature favorable is 65-75 degree Fahrenheit. Severe hot surroundings mean more energy and protein loss which has to be compensated by giving extra calorie protein rich feed and special care. However cows and buffaloes freshening shortly before summer months produce less total milk than other seasons. During this season unfavorable temperature (very hot), low availability of quality greens and digestible feed are the reasons for it. Following is a list of do's and don'ts for their special care in this season:

Feeding and watering:

Generally the dairy animal should be fed balanced ration comprising of dry matter at the rate of 2.5 kg per 100 kg body weight out of which one third should be from concentrate mixture, one half from dry roughages and one sixth from green roughages. Concentrate mixture should comprise of grains (40%), oil cakes (32%), brans (25%), mineral mixture (2%) and common salt (1%). Apart from this the extra protein and energy rich cakes and oils approximately 0.8% of body weight should be fed to counter the stress of high temperature for maintaining normal milk production and other activities. Water should be clean and available five to six times a day possibly cold water at their drinking time

Shelter management:

Shelter plays a key role in production efficiency of high producing dairy animals because it protects them from extreme weather conditions and provides comfort. If the animals are in discomfort due to summer ; alterations in house should be made by covering the windows at day time by jute bags, etc. and should be kept wet so cold air may enter in. This will certainly protect the animals against hot winds (loo). Spacing should be appropriate (3.5 sq. m. for cows and 4 sq. m. for buffaloes). Bedding should be 1- 2 inches thick and cold. Windows should be opened at night for air and disinfection. Proper ventilation in animal housing is undisputedly important.

General management:

During a warm day the dairy animal should be kept indoors and in the loafing area at night. The bathing, washing and grooming should be carried out in open area in early morning or evenings and it should be followed by water splashing to prevent itching, skin diseases and ectoparasites. Sunlight exposure in early morning is good for dairy animal's especially young dairy calves. More quantity of green fodder feeding is advised. It will provide coolness, protein and Green fodder contains carotene which converts into vitamin A. It should be mixed with dry fodder in appropriate proportion. Feed dry fodder at night when temperature is low. Wallowing is recommended for buffaloes.

Sanitation:

Animals should be fed clean and dust free feed and water. Thorough cleaning of animals sheds, dung, urine, milking parlour, teats of milch animals is also very important

Vaccination:

Many diseases flare in summer stress. Vaccination against various contagious diseases such as FMD, H.S., T.B., J.D., B.Q. etc. should be carried out about once or twice a year

according to the schedule. This would certainly avoid the expenses incurred on routine treatment and production losses due to illness and would also improve quality of milk.