Lila, Glee, and Pistache lie down in their barn for their daily nap after feeding on corn, grass, and grain, and take advantage of the air from two giant fans, in the midst of a heat wave in France.
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At an altitude of 780 meters, in Saint-Martin-en-Haut (east), the outside temperature is 34ºC, but the two fans, 4.5 meters in diameter, cool the interior of the barn that houses 35 cows by a few degrees milkmaids.
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From 22ºC and 50% humidity, they accumulate heat in their body and can produce two fewer liters of milk than the 28 to 38 liters per day per cow.
“Due to the evolution of the climate, farmers are constantly adapting,” says Nicolas Joannon, owner of the farm, explaining that when temperatures rise, “thermal stress” causes the cows to eat less and produce “a little less milk”.
“If we ensure good conditions to overcome these episodes, immediately after the heat wave, the animals will recover their initial level of performance and will continue to produce quality milk for consumers,” adds the 34-year-old man.
Dairy cows are very sensitive to temperature.
From 22ºC and 50% humidity, they accumulate heat in their body and can produce two fewer liters of milk than the 28 to 38 liters per day per cow.
To avoid this, Nicolas Joannon installed in 2020 two fans on the roof of the stable
of his herd, an investment of 9,000 euros ($9,230).
The two metal giants start up automatically based on
the temperature, and as the heat rises, its speed increases until it reaches full output.
The rancher, who owns 45 hectares, points out that “fewer cows are slaughtered since the fans are on.”
“At 22ºC, the cow can adapt, but from 28-30ºC, it will suffer,” explains Alexandre Batia, 44, a ventilation expert with the local Rhône Conseil Élevage association, which advises farmers.
180 liters of water daily
“There are more and more files from farmers waiting for their stables to be conditioned” and one farm in five has already taken the step, says Batia, who accompanied Joannon in her installation. But these devices must “support” “good practice”.
“Farmers should prioritize evening feeding or add additional troughs” as cows can drink up to 180 liters of water daily.
Bertrand Fagoo, from the French Institute of Livestock (Idele), points out that the fans are a “secondary improvement factor”, which should be installed after opening up the barn more and providing more shade.
“There is no need to remove the hot and stale air in a closed area,” insists the 53-year-old researcher.
Spraying water on the animals can be another option to limit heat stress, but it carries the risk of increased humidity, explains Alexandre Batia.
In his opinion, the stables must also be ventilated in a “homogeneous” way, since “
Otherwise, the cows will gather in the most favorable areas, blocking
the circulation [del aire] and accumulating heat, which is not the desired objective”.
INTERNATIONAL WRITING
*With information from AFP
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