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Fresh Cow Supplements

Freshen Up A calcium supplement and rehydration product for dairy cattle at calving. Contains the proactive combination of multiple sources of calcium electrolytes and energy needed to help prevent milk fever and ketosis. Can be used as a drench or offerd free choice. 30245 10 lbs. 30246 35 lbs.

Bovine Accellyte II A unique electrolyte designed to combat the loses due to dehydration. Can be used for both pre-hydrating (prior to stress) and re-hydrating (post stress) cattle. Contains electrolytes to replace those lost during stress energy to provide an added boost when needed most minerals needed to compensate for deficiencies from reduced feed intakes and vitamins necessary for life. Can be used as a drench added to stock tanks or individual water feedings. It also can be dry-mixed into feeds for group or herd application. 30487 25 lbs.

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Dehydration of Cattle may occur from a multitude of challenges - such as shipping stress, movement, heat stress, calving, water quality and availability, ration changes, stress such as medical treatments and vaccinations.

Water as a Nutrient for Dairy Cattle
Water is often overlooked as an important component of the dairy ration. A cow producing 80 pounds of milk requires about 40 gallons of water a day. Reduced water intakes can affect milk production and growth and can cause health problems. Free access to clean water promotes good rumen function, increases feed intake, digestion and nutrient absorption.

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It's Never Too Soon To Focus On Heat Stress

Heat stress can be one of the most costly events on the farm during the summer months. Following are a few key
points to remember:

• Only 10 to 20 percent of inseminations result in pregnancies when cows are under heat stress.
• The effect of heat stress on cows can also affect milk quality. Heat stress can depress the cow’s immune system
• and high heat and humidity is a great environment for bacteria.
• Temperature levels that may be comfortable to people can be stressful on high-producing cattle. Ideal temperatures for a dairy cow are between 41°F and 77°F.
• One of the most commonly used methods to monitor heat stress is to use the temperature-humidity index (THI). THI is a calculation resulting from the temperature and relative humidity. Table 1 lists symptoms at different levels of THI. Table 2 shows the relationship between THI and heat and humidity.

Table 1	Temperature-Humity Index (TMI) Impact on Dairy Cattle
THI	Symptoms
72	Cattle start to feel heat stress. Reduced feed intake and increased respiration rate may occur.
77	Begin losing milk production. Symptoms become more apparent.
80	Rapid shallow breathing, profuse sweating and a 10% decrease in milk production.
90	Severe loss in milk yield (>25%), decrease feed intake, and panting. Risk of death if ill or calving.

Factors to Reduce Heat Stress

• At least one water source is needed for every twenty cows at all times. Keeping the water clean and fresh is also important. Cattle will drink more water when a cool clean source of water is available.
• Heat stress depresses feed intake, so it is important to adjust the ration to meet the same requirements.
• Increasing nutrient density, such as feeding higher quality forage, feeding more grain and adding supplemental fat can help the cow meet her needs on less feed.
• Direct-fed microbial and yeast products can also aid in increasing feed intake, especially through periods of heat stress. Mineral requirements will also change during periods of hot weather.
• Lower intakes and a higher concentrated diet will also increase the need for buffer to be added to the diet to maintain rumen pH.
• Ventilation must be designed to exchange the warm air around the cows with cooler air from outside the barn. A sprinkler system can also reduce heat stress if set up correctly.

Table 2. Temperature Humidity Index (THI)1 for Dairy Cows. Modified from Dr. Frank Wierama (1990), Department of Agriculture Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.

Degree
F	40	45	50	55	60	65	70	75	80	85	90	95	100
75						72	72	73	73	74	74	75	75
80	73	73	74	74	75	76	76	77	78	78	79	79	80
85	76	77	78	78	79	80	81	81	82	83	84	84	85
90	79	80	81	82	83	84	85	86	86	87	88	89	90
95	83	84	85	86	87	88	89	90	91	92	93	94	95
100	86	87	88	90	91	92	93	94	95	97	98	99
105	89	91	92	93	95	96	97

At the end of the day, the key goal is to help the cow maintain production and stay healthy throughout the year. The only way to do this is by keeping the cow as consistent as possible. Controlling body temperature with adequate facilities, maintaining dry matter intake, and meeting nutritional requirements (water, energy, protein and mineral) regardless of intake, will all help keep cows productive and healthy.