Heat stress – how does it occur?

Recognize when it’s too hot for my cows

High metabolic performance and energy conversion
Cows produce a considerable amount of body heat due to their high metabolic performance. Around 31% of the energy consumed is converted into heat, which shows how energy-intensive the processes in a dairy cow’s body are.

Ideal temperature ranges
Dairy cows feel most comfortable in a temperature range of around 4 to 16 degrees Celsius. In this range, the cow does not have to use any energy to regulate her body temperature. Above 16 degrees, the body begins to release body heat to prevent overheating.

Mechanisms for releasing heat
When the ambient temperature exceeds 16 degrees, the cow releases body heat through evaporation. This happens through increased respiration and sweating. These mechanisms help to lower the body temperature and protect the animal from overheating.

Influence of humidity
In addition to the temperature, the relative humidity of the environment also plays a decisive role. If the air temperature and/or relative humidity is too high, the cow can no longer release enough body heat. This can lead to heat stress, which has a negative impact on the well-being and performance of the dairy cow.