Ventilation and monitoring systems to combat heat stress in livestock are eligible for grants from the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund.
High performing dairy cows in the UK can begin to experience heat stress at just 18°C, particularly in humid conditions, says animal welfare expert Chloe Rodriguez, from housing specialists Galebreaker.
“Farmers have the opportunity to get funding for equipment to tackle heat stress and safeguard herd health and productivity,” says Ms Rodriguez. “For many, last summer was a wake-up call,” she adds. “Four heatwaves in one season is not something dairy farmers can afford to ignore.”
“Heat stress can be prolonged and costly – feed intakes drop, milk production suffers and fertility rates decline. From a welfare perspective, it also puts animals under significant strain with associated health issues such as mastitis and lameness.”
As climate patterns shift, the FETF grants present a timely opportunity for farmers to enhance their livestock environments before temperatures and humidity rise.
“Farmers cannot control the weather, but they can control how well their buildings help cows cope with it. With the FETF funding now available, there’s no better time to invest in solutions that will make a real difference this summer.”
For more on FETF funding, see page 43.