MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — University of Minnesota researchers developed a highly sophisticated model to assess lactating cow heat stress, a problem that can lead to numerous health complications for cows and financial difficulties for producersw due to reduced milk production and pregnancy rates.
University of Minnesota develops model to assess lactating cow heat stress
The University of Minnesota's model describes heat exchange between a lactating cow and the environment through respiration, air flowing past the cow, sweating and shortwave and longwave radiation. The model can be used to assess the impact of body mass, milk yield, solar load, air temperature, dew-point temperature, and air velocity on heat exchange rates, cow respiration rate and body temperature.
