The Cool Cow mobile application from Purina Animal Nutrition, a feed producer, allows dairy producers to monitor and address heat stress at their fingertips. Research suggests that cows can begin to show the effects of heat stress at a Temperature Humidity Index of 68. Reproduction can be impacted at an index rating of 55.
Heat stress and an associated 10 to 35 percent milk production loss may cost a dairy producer $1.60 to $5.60 per cow per day. These losses can continue to mount when reductions in reproductive performance and increased days open are added into the equation.
"With the new Cool Cow mobile app, dairy producers will know when temperatures have reached levels that are stressful to the cow," says Elena Lindemann, lactating livestock marketing director with Purina Animal Nutrition.
"This new tool is designed to assist dairy producers in mitigating the negative financial impacts of heat stress."
The mobile app features a heat stress calculator for inputting the current temperature and humidity readings. The temperature and humidity is then translated into a Temperature Humidity Index reading that shows the severity of heat stress, ranging from mild to extreme risk, providing dairy producers insight on the current conditions inside their barn. In addition to the heat stress calculator, the mobile app offers tips on moderating heat stress from management to nutrition.
The Cool Cow app can be found for Android phones on the Google Play website and for iPhones on the iTunes website.