When the loo blows, milk yield drops and animals eat less. Learn the warning signs of heat stress and a simple daily summer routine for shade, water and feeding.
Key Takeaways
- Panting, drooling and lower feed intake are early signs of heat stress.
- Move concentrate feeding to the cooler early morning and evening hours.
- Unlimited cool, clean water is the single most important summer care step.
In this article
Summers in eastern Uttar Pradesh are tough – and not just for people. When temperatures cross 40°C, cows and buffaloes eat less, milk yield falls, and heat can even affect fertility. Buffaloes suffer the most: their dark skin absorbs heat and they have far fewer sweat glands than cows.
Signs of heat stress
- Fast breathing, panting or breathing with the mouth open
- Drooling and a lot of saliva
- Eating less feed and fodder, but standing near water
- A sudden drop in milk yield
- Standing instead of lying down, and crowding into shade
1. Shade and air flow
Keep animals under a roof or tree shade during the day. A thatched or white-painted roof stays much cooler than a bare tin sheet. Hang wet jute curtains (gunny bags) on the windward side and use fans if you have electricity.
2. Water, water, water
A milking animal drinks a lot more in summer – roughly 3 – 4 litres of water for every litre of milk, on top of what it needs for its body. Keep clean, cool water available all day, place troughs in the shade and clean them daily.
3. Change feeding times
Digesting feed creates heat inside the body. Give concentrate and green fodder in the early morning and late evening, and offer dry fodder at night when it is cooler. Because animals eat less in the heat, every bite needs to count – a nutrient-dense feed such as Bypass Dairy Special helps high-yielding animals hold their milk.
| Time | Summer routine |
|---|---|
| 5:00 – 6:30 AM | Milking, then concentrate feed and fresh water |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Green fodder; move animals to shade |
| 11 AM – 4 PM | Rest in shade, water always available, splash or bathe 1 – 2 times |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Milking, concentrate feed and green fodder |
| Night | Dry fodder (bhusa) and water |
4. Bathing and wallowing
Splash or bathe cows once or twice in the hottest part of the day. Let buffaloes wallow in a clean pond if possible – it is the most natural way for them to cool down.
5. Minerals and salt
Animals lose salts through sweat and saliva in summer. Continue mineral mixture daily and ask your vet about adding common salt or electrolytes to drinking water during heat waves.
