In summer temperatures, how often do you check your calves to make sure they are not too hot?
Heat stress increases calf dehydration, reduces feed intake and lowers the immune system.
There is a good chance that the nutrients (especially energy) absorbed during heat stress will be used to dissipate heat, rather than being used for growth and development.
In the short term, this can affect daily growth and disease resistance.
In the longer term, this may affect body development and age at first calving.
VISIBLE SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS IN CALVES:
- Reduced movement and activity
- Faster breathing
- Panting with an open mouth
- Decreased feed intake
- Increased water consumption
Source text and photo: Ronald Rongen