Now is the Time to Get Your Herd Ready for Hot Weather

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: May 1, 2014


  • Check over & clean your fans and other ventilation equipment to be sure it is in proper working order so that it is ready when you need it.
  • Consider installing tunnel ventilation in your tie stall barn. You can contact me for an unbiased assessment of your needs. I can spec out fan capacity needs and inlet requirements.
  • Water intake goes up during hot weather. Be sure plenty of water is available. Cows like to drink right after they are milked. Cows will almost always stop to drink water when leaving the milking parlor or when leaving a tie-stall barn right after milking. If you can strategically place a water tub near that exit path it will prove to be beneficial.
  • Open up sidewalls on free stall barns. Sidewall curtains are popular, but simply removing the siding will do the same thing. 
  • Fans in free stall barns should be located in the holding area, over the stalls, and over the area where cows stand to eat at the feed bunk. 
  • If you have an adequate water supply, sprinklers add an extra measure of relief to cows in free stall housing. 
  • The use of fans and sprinklers need to be coordinated and designed to work properly together. Consult with someone experienced with these systems to be sure your system is operating properly. A poorly designed system can do more harm than good!
  • If you employ intensive rotational grazing and do not have enough pasture to totally satisfy your herd's forage needs, you may want to consider grazing at night only. This assumes you have tunnel ventilation in the barn to keep the cows comfortable during the day. 



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Upcoming Events

Manure Management & CAFO Permit Workshop - Waterville

December 6, 2022
Waterville, NY

Lunch included.  CCA Credits available.  This event will count as a DEC approved manure applicator training for CAFO permitees.

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Manure Management & CAFO Permit Workshop - Ballston Spa

December 8, 2022
Ballston Spa, NY

Lunch included.  CCA Credits available.  This event will count as a DEC approved manure applicator training for CAFO permitees.

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Artificial Insemination Training Course

December 12 - December 13, 2022
Little Falls, NY

Two day course.  Lunch included.  The course will have classroom and practical components.  Registration limited to 12 people.

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Announcements

Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 



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