Summer is Almost Here: It's Time to do Heat Abatement Maintenance

Jan 29, 2026

By Emily Fread

It has been well established in the dairy industry that heat stress negatively affects all animals on the farm during the summer. Lactating cows experience fluctuations in fat and protein yields, as well as lowered milk production and dry matter intake. Heat stress in dry cows leads to shorter gestation lengths, challenging transition periods, and reduced production in the subsequent lactation. Heat stress in calves and heifers affects growth rates and disease. It is essential to provide heat abatement for all animals on the farm, regardless of age group or lactation stage. Heat abatement can be supplied in three ways: shade, air, and water.

Shade can be provided on pasture with trees or a shade structure. When shade is provided on pasture, it has been shown to decrease aggressive behaviors toward other animals and increase rumination, grazing, and resting time (Kendall et al., 2006; Vizzoto et al., 2015). Shade can also increase milk production when provided for lactating animals on pasture. There are several variables to consider when building shade structures: whether they will be permanent or movable, and the cost of materials. Some producers employing rotational grazing practices may want to move their shade from pasture to pasture. Many portable shade structures are built with a steel frame and can be pulled around pastures with equipment or are collapsible for easy transport. Mobile shade structures can be constructed with corrugated steel coverings or shade cloth. Shade cloths must be replaced every few years due to damage; corrugated steel may have a higher initial investment, but it lasts longer than shade cloth. When summer is over, consider what will happen to your shade structures over the winter. If your system includes a shade cloth, it can be ripped or damaged by the weight of snow, so the shade cloth should be removed, or the structure should be collapsed before winter weather. If shade structures are left on pasture over the winter, they should be inspected in the spring to assess any damage and need for replacement. Shade cloths should also be inspected at the end of the summer season to assess damage due to birds.

Source : psu.edu

Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.