HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

Adding to the toolkit, misting and sprinkler systems can reduce the ambient air temperature and enhance evaporative heat loss in dairy cows. Sprinklers alone have been shown to reduce body temperatures by up to 1,5°C, which directly improves both productivity and cow comfort. Hydration plays a crucial role in protecting your herd. During heat stress, cows increase their water intake by 30% to 50%. This is not just about quantity; water temperature matters too. Cows consuming water at 15°C to 20°C tend to have better feed intake, which supports stable milk yields even during heat waves. The effect of how cooler water directly increases feed intake can be seen in Graph 4 below. Adding to the toolkit, misti g a d sprinkler systems c n reduce the ambient ir temperature and enhance evaporative heat loss in dairy cows. Sprinkl r l e ave been shown t reduce body temperatures by up to 1.5°C, which directly impr ves both productivity and cow comfort. Hydration plays a crucial role in protecting your herd. During heat stress, cows increase th ir water intake by 30% to 50%. This is not just about quantity water temp rature matters too. Cows consuming water at 15°C to 20°C tend to have better feed intake, which supports stable milk yields even during heat waves. The effect of how cooler water directly increases feed intake can be seen in Graph 4 below. Farmers must not assume the danger is over once the sun goes down. A dairy cow’s body does not cool as quickly as the air. This lag means cooling systems for example like fans and sprinklers need to stay active well into the evening. Unfortunately, many farms turn them off too early, allowing cows to suffer through the night, leading to reduced fertility, inconsistent milk yields, and poor calf development. From an economic perspective, the costs are staggering. Globally, heat stress costs the dairy industry billions. In South Africa, that translates to up to R1,500 lost per cow per month. That is money lost not just from milk sales, but from fertility issues, increased veterinary costs, and longer calving intervals. These are not just production losses; they are a sabotage of the entire dairy unit. Fortunately, dairy farming is evolving. Wearable sensors now allow farmers to monitor cow respiration, rumination, and body temperature in real-time, offering intervention before conditions become critical. Solar-powered ventilation systems and advanced cooling technologies are no longer futuristic, they are necessary. Even a mobile tool like the De Heus CoolCare app empower farmers to track on-farm heat stress risk and to act quickly on it, turning knowledge into action. Heat stress may be a seasonal challenge, but it leaves year-round damage. South African dairy farmers can fight back with smart cooling strategies, shade, air movement, and hydration. By acting early and consistently, you can keep your cows healthy, productive, and fertile, even during the harshest heat waves. So do not underestimate the impact of heat stress. Do not wait until it is too late and do not let heat stress sabotage your dairy herd. For more info on references for the article or any questions, please contact your nearest technical advisor - https:// www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team Graph 4: Water Temperature vs. Feed Increase/Decrease Farmers must not assume the danger is over once the sun g es down. A dairy cow’s body does not cool as quickly as the air. This lag means cooling systems, f r example fans and sp inkler , ne d to stay active well into the evening. Unfortunately, many f rms turn them off too early, all wing cows to suffer through the night, leading to reduced fertility, i consiste t milk yield , and poor calf developm nt. From an economic per pective, th costs ar stag ering. Globally, heat stress costs the dairy industry billions. In South Africa, that translates to up to R1 500 lost per cow per month. That is money lost not just from milk sales, but from fertility issues, increased veterinary costs, and longer calving intervals. These are not just production losses; they are a sabotage of the entire dairy unit. Fortunately, dairy farming is evolving. Wearable sensors now allow farmers to monitor cow respiration, rumination, and body temperature in real-time, offering intervention before conditions become critical. Solar-powered ventilation systems and advanced cooling technologi s are longer futuri tic, they are necessary. Ev n a mobile to l like the De Heus CoolCare app empowers fa mers to track on-farm heat stress risk and o act qu ckly on it, tu ning knowl dg into action. Heat stress may be a seasonal challenge, but it leaves year-round d mage. South African dairy farmers can fight back with smart cooling strategies, shade, air moveme t, and hydration. By acting early and consistently, you can keep your cows healthy, productive, and fertile, even during the harshest heat waves. So do not underestimate the impact of heat stress. Do not wait until it is too late and do not let heat stress sabotage your dairy herd. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com r : Water temperature ver us f ed incre s /d r For more info on references for the article or any questions, please contact your nearest De Heus technical advisor – https:// www.deheus.co.za/meet-our- team. Water Temperature vs. Feed Increase/Decrease Water Temperature (°C) www.agribonus.co.za Herfs/Autumn 2026 BONUS 61