Heat stress

With extreme weather events becoming more common, hot days in the sun are bad enough for people – so what are we doing for our livestock? Heat stress is a concerning issue for cows, but what are some cost-effective, practical solutions? And is it part of a broader conversation about farm-system resilience?

Hear from three experts in this field: Kyle Wills on a practical farm try-out; Annabel Davies on what Pāmu have implemented; and Dr Helen Beattie on practical solutions from an animal welfare perspective.

Trees could be making a comeback on the Canterbury Plains as the area looks to become more resilient to climate change – and pines may not get a look in.
Words Delwyn Dickey

DairyNZ, AgResearch and Fonterra researchers are working together to better understand the issue of heat stress and the Southern Dairy Hub is one of the research farms. By Andrea Dixon.

Rex and Sharon Butterworth are focused on running a system that remains profitable regardless of the payout as they make the most of their home-grown feed, which sets their stock up for optimal production. Claire Ashton reports.

Heat stress in cows is an increasingly worrying phenomenon, due to changing weather patterns. Vet Katie Mason shares how to best cope with the heat.