Dairy Extension Specialist Talks About Heat Stress in Georgia Dairy Industry

Nov 19, 2025

Sha Tao, dairy Extension specialist, spoke with Farm Monitor about UGA’s efforts to keep cows cool and comfortable amid rising heat.

“Actually, within the Southeast, Georgia is the only state where the dairy industry is growing,” Tao said. “Right now, we have about 74 dairy farms, but it’s about 85,000 milking cows. And you can see the dairy industry in Georgia is growing. We expect to see more cows in Georgia and more milk produced in Georgia.”

But temperatures in the warmer months can cause heat stress, which leads to cows producing less milk and being at higher risk for disease.

“So, heat stress is a critical issue in the dairy industry, especially in the Southeast,” Tao explained. “Without cooling, heat stress can reduce cow’s milk production by about 15% to 40%. And during the summertime, cows normally have increased disease, such as mastitis, and also have reduced reproductive performance. Everything can lead to a very significant economic loss to the dairy producers.”

Tao and his team are exploring multiple ways to keep cows cool.

Source : uga.edu

Video: Five Confirmed New World Screwworm Cases Raise Alarm for Livestock and Pet Owners

Pat Hoffmann, Swine Technical Consultant at Elanco Animal Health tells us about the impact of New World Screwworm. The emergence of New World screwworm in the U.S. creates a threat for veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners that has not been seen north of the Florida Keys since the fly was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae feed on living tissue and can affect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and even humans.
“New World screwworm could have a devastating impact on animal health, welfare, and producer livelihoods,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We want to thank the FDA, EPA and USDA, for all their work to prepare for this threat. We’re committed to supporting our customers during this challenging time by delivering innovation, scientific expertise, and available resources to help treat New World screwworm and support the health and well-being of animals.”
Elanco is working alongside the U.S. animal health industry to help them fight against this parasite, offering a portfolio of options for pets and livestock that can help treat New World screwworm larvae infestations.