WINTER CLIPPING
ADVANTAGES TO CATTLE HEALTH THROUGH
The idea of cows suffering from heat stress in winter may seem an odd one, but as Felicity Coates explains, winter clipping is well worth considering as a way of improving cow health and welfare
D
airy cow comfort and welfare within housing systems are becoming increasing causes for concern in today’s industry. As further studies become apparent about production and yields and its relationship with comfort and welfare, we are now
understanding more about how to make our housing systems suit the needs of dairy cattle.
While the process of winter clipping may seem outdated considering the attention to detail that now takes place when the design of new housing systems are created, there are benefits to cattle health that can be introduced through this task. The thought of dairy cattle suffering from heat stress in the UK may seem implausible, however, dairy cattle can feel the effects of heat stress at any temperature above 5C.
The practicalities of keeping housing systems at that temperature would not work, without a serious investment in air conditioning, a hefty electricity bill and a mammoth shop for some thermal clothing.
Housing systems kept at 5C would be the equivalent to working in an industrial refrigerator. It is when the indoor temperature reaches 25C that we need to start to really worry about heat stress.
102 THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014
At this level we can expect a serious drop in milk yield, loss of appetite (which will result in further yield reductions), reduced fertility due to increase rectal temperature and general inability to express normal behaviour. However, it is not just temperature that causes cattle to suffer from heat stress, humidity plays a bigger part. With predictions of milder winters for the future, it is highly likely that heat stress cases will rise. It is also likely that the period of time that cattle are in housing will be in a period that has increased humidity, due to the warmer winters with more rainfall that are predicted. The issue of elevated temperatures and humidity is exaggerated with the body temperature of the cows. A lack of ventilation will cause this to rise and hence increase the severity of the problem. Not only does this increase the chances of heat
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AGRIPHOTO
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140