As a result, cows can quickly become uncomfortable, which in turn reduces their productivity. \u201cStudies have shown that cows can already experience heat stress at just 16\u00b0C (60.8\u00b0F). So imagine the impact of temperatures reaching 30, 32 or 34\u00b0C \u2014 it\u2019s thermal shock.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
So, what\u2019s the solution?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u201cThere are two schools of thought,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe first \u2013 the traditional one \u2013 is to increase ventilation. That does help, but beyond a certain point, ventilation alone is no longer effective in lowering the ambient temperature. Plus, excessive airflow can make cows uncomfortable, especially if the airspeed is too high. Add to that the noise levels, which become another source of stress. So, in cases of heat stress, simply boosting ventilation isn\u2019t enough.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Misting the barn can also help cool cows, Courcelle notes, but when the air is already saturated with moisture, adding more water becomes ineffective. \u201cYou just can\u2019t do it. And if misting is used throughout the building, it ends up wetting the bedding and feeding areas and adds a large volume of water to the manure that ends up in the pit. It\u2019s a high water-consuming practice.\u201d<\/p>\r\n The other option, as a complement to ventilation, is the intelligent shower,<\/strong> Courcelle explains. It was introduced in Texas in 2018.<\/p>\r\n Time to shower!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The Smart Soaker system is a cooling shower installed every two spots along the feed bunk, Courcelle describes. A cow that feels the need to cool off stands beneath the shower, which detects her presence and releases a targeted spray of water roughly at shoulder level \u2014 where the cooling effect is most impactful. The cow decides on her own whether she needs to cool down. The producer, for their part, sets the activation temperature. For example, the system can be programmed so that fans run until 20\u00b0C, and showers activate above that threshold. \u201cThe Smart Soaker can save up to 70% of the water used by conventional soaking systems,\u201d notes Courcelle.<\/p>\r\n A study conducted by the University of Florida compared three herds in the same barn with identical ventilation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n The first group had no water-cooling system. Daily water use per cow: 150 L.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t The second group was in a barn equipped with timer-controlled sprinklers. Water use per cow: 450 L (timer sprinklers activate regardless of whether cows are present, inflating consumption figures).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t The third group used Smart Soaker intelligent showers. Water use per cow: 145 L.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n The slight difference in water use between groups one and three comes from the fact that heat-stressed cows will drink more water to cool down. However, cooling from drinking is far less effective than surface wetting.<\/p>\r\n If we think about humans \u2014 in summer, we drink a lot of water to cool off. But when we dive into a pool, the cooling effect lasts much longer.<\/p>\r\n That\u2019s exactly what the Smart Soaker provides: efficient, long-lasting cow cooling through optimized spraying.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u201cField reports from the U.S. show that, in barns without shower systems, milk production can drop by up to 11%, and fertility by up to 22%,\u201d Courcelle says. \u201cWith the Smart Soaker, milk production loss is limited to just 1%, and fertility drop to around 7%.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Also for dry cows<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The Smart Soaker shower system is also intended for dry cows, Courcelle adds. Heat stress in dry cows has been shown to reduce future milk production and negatively affect their offspring, so they must also be protected from summer heatwaves.<\/p>\r\n \u201cIn fact, there\u2019s growing concern that cows exposed to one or more heat stress episodes could affect the future productivity of their heifer calves,\u201d he notes. Studies are underway to determine the transgenerational effects of heat stress.<\/p>\r\n The Smart Soaker system can only be used in free-stall housing, Courcelle clarifies. However, with new regulations requiring dry cows to be kept in group pens instead of tie-stalls, the Smart Soaker may become more widely usable.<\/p>\r\n Smart Soaker showers are available by special order from your local BMR retailer.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n BMR Group offers the services of a dedicated, skilled team that brings together specialists, merchants, engineers, manufacturers, and developers \u2014 all working to support agricultural producers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \t
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