Beat the Heat Without Losing Pace

Heat stress can cost a 1,000-cow dairy tens of thousands of euros in a single summer, and most of those losses begin before visible signs appear.

When cows spend more time standing, reduce intake, or cluster under fans, lower milk production and reproductive issues are observed.

Thus, what seems like a brief period of heat can translate into weeks of lower production and increased pressure on the operation.

THE REAL DAMAGE STARTS EARLIER

As temperature and humidity rise, cows reduce intake even though they need more energy to maintain normal function (West, 2003).

At the same time, they lose essential fluids and minerals through breathing and sweating, disrupting internal balance (Mallonee et al., 1985).

This creates an imbalance between what the cow consumes and what it actually needs. To adapt, the animal must make a greater metabolic effort, which can affect health, reproduction, and hoof strength.

Trace elements like zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) help maintain normal cellular function and support the stress response (Rezaei-Ahvanooei et al., 2025).

THE IMPACT DOESN’T END WHEN SUMMER DOES

The effects of heat stress often appear months later.

During the summer, when cows spend more time standing, pressure on the hooves increases and, at the same time, lower intake limits the nutrients needed to maintain and regenerate hoof tissue.

The hoof’s strength depends on a constant supply of nutrients, including trace elements that support connective tissue. When this supply is irregular, hoof quality decreases.

As a result, many farms observe more lameness, with longer treatment times and additional production losses in the fall.

ECONOMIC LOSSES ACCUMULATE QUICKLY

Even small changes in production can lead to significant losses, for example:

WHY NUTRITION IS A KEY POINT

When intake decreases, each kilo of feed must yield more. It’s not just about what’s in the ration, but about what the cow can absorb and utilize.

Studies show that the source of trace elements can influence their utilization, especially under stress conditions (Rezaei-Ahvanooei et al., 2025).

A MORE CONSISTENT WAY TO SUPPORT PERFORMANCE

Providing trace elements in forms that remain stable during digestion helps ensure cows receive what they need each day, even when intake is lower.

The way cows utilize nutrients can help maintain milk yield, hoof health, and reproductive performance during heat stress.

MINTREX® Bis-Chelated Trace Minerals are designed to support mineral stability and availability, helping cows better utilize the nutrients they consume under demanding conditions.

PROTECT PERFORMANCE BEFORE LOSSES INCREASE

Heat stress cannot be avoided, but its impact can be reduced. The most effective strategies consider both what is observed on the farm and what happens inside the cow.

Acting early helps maintain performance, reduce later issues, and preserve herd consistency.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP If you want to reduce heat impact and maintain herd performance, contact a NOVUS representative to learn how organic trace mineral programs, including MINTREX® Bis-Chelated Trace Minerals, can help optimize your operation.

Read more about NOVUS