Cool for the Summer

Models aren’t the only ladies who value a big fan blowing their hair in the wind. When the days get warmer, cows appreciate cooling down, too, thanks to their farmers, who make sure they stay comfortable.

We can all agree that ice cream is synonymous with a long, hot summer day. A cold scoop of vanilla bean or a dish of mint chocolate chip can cool us down after the heat beats down all day long. So just as ice cream keeps us cool, cows, too, need to cool down when the days become hotter and the evenings become longer. Dairy farmers achieve this in a variety of ways, many of which are similar to the way we cool ourselves and our living spaces: fans, ventilation systems and providing plenty of water, to name a few. 

Unlike humans, whose bodies sweat regularly to maintain a comfortable temperature, cows don’t sweat as much, causing them to utilize other methods to keep cool in the warm weather. In fact, cows are most comfortable when outdoor temperatures range from 25 to 65 degrees. But when the heat is here to stay, specifically during the summer months of June, July and August when the national average temperature reaches 72 degrees and even warmer in many areas, dairy farmers keep a keen eye on their herd, and the weather forecast, to make sure they don’t get too warm. Levels of humidity are also taken into account when deciding how to keep cows cool. The stress induced by warm, humid temperatures causes the girls to produce less milk and is one of the reasons farmers plan ahead. 

When the heat amps up, fans and misters are among many ways to keep the temperatures low and the air flowing to make cows comfortable. Built into barns or placed in common areas during the summer months, fans are an easy way farmers can accommodate their cows and keep the air moving. (Or should we say moo-ving?) Misters, or sprinklers, are also a quick way for cows to be cooled down when they make their way to the parlor to be milked. 

Besides ice cream, you’re probably accustomed to drinking plenty of ice-cold water in the summer. Cows drink up too. In fact, high-producing cows can drink up to 30 gallons of water a day. A chilled water source, paired with adequate shade, can keep farmers’ herds feeling comfortable and refreshed throughout  warm days. A cow’s diet in between milkings can also affect their body temperature. Changes to nutrient levels in their feed can assist in keeping the girls cool. 

All year long, day in and day out, the top priority for dairy farmers is the comfort of their cows. During the summer months, dairy farmers pay close attention to making sure their herd is comfortable and cool so we can continue enjoying the dairy products they produce, like that ice cream cone on a warm, summer day.