Effect of heat stress during the dry period on milk yield and reproductive performance of Holstein cows

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of heat stress during the dry period on milk yield and reproductive performance of Holstein cows in a hot environment. Breeding and milk production records of cows, as well as meteorological data between 2017 and 2020 from a commercial dairy herd (n = 12,102 lactations), were used to determine the relationship between climatic conditions during the dry period (average of the temperature-humidity index (THI) at the beginning, middle, and end of the dry period) and reproductive efficiency and milk yield traits. THI was divided into < 70 (no heat stress), 70-80 (moderate heat stress), and > 80 (severe heat stress). First-service pregnancy rate of cows decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing hyperthermia during the dry period (9.5, 7.3, and 3.4% for THI < 70, 70-80, and > 80, respectively). All-service pregnancy rate was highest (P < 0.01) for cows not undergoing heat stress during the dry period (60.2%) and lowest (42.6%) for cows with severe heat stress during the dry period. Cows not experiencing heat stress during the dry period required a mean ± SD of 5.6 ± 3.8 services per pregnancy compared with 6.5 ± 3.6 (P < 0.01) for cows subjected to THI > 80 during the dry period. Cows not suffering heat stress during the dry period produced more (P < 0.01) 305-day milk (10,926 ± 1206 kg) than cows subjected to moderate (10,799 ± 1254 kg) or severe (10,691 ± 1297 kg) heat stress during the dry period. Total milk yield did not differ (P > 0.10) between cows not undergoing heat stress (13,337 ± 3346 kg) and cows subjected to severe heat stress during the dry period (13,911 ± 4018 kg). It was concluded that environmental management of dry cows during hot months is warranted to maximize reproductive performance and milk yield in the following lactation.

Keywords: 305-day milk production; Extended lactations; Hyperthermia; Pregnancy rate; Services per pregnancy.