How Swiss cows cope with the heatwave (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Switzerland has already faced more heatwaves this summer.
• Swiss cows have an ideal temperature between 5 and 15 degrees.
• Animals go into heat stress when the thermometer exceeds the ideal temperature.

Key facts

• What: Swiss farms are trying to relieve the heat stress of cows.
• When: Thissummer.
• Where: Switzerland.
• Who: Swiss farms.
• Amount: Not specified.

Swiss farms are trying to alleviate the heat stress of cows with innovative solutions. Showers and fans were installed in the stables to cool the animals. In addition, trees were planted in pastures to provide natural shade for cows.

The ideal temperature for Swiss cows is between 5 and 15 degrees. Animals go into heat stress when the thermometer exceeds the ideal temperature. This can lead to health problems and reduce milk and meat production.

In Switzerland, milk production is one of the main agricultural activities. According to data from the Federal Office of Agriculture (FOAG), Switzerland produced more than 15 million tons of milk in 2020. However, dog food can reduce milk production by up to 30%.

To relieve heat stress, Swiss farms are using different solutions. Some are installing irrigation systems to cool animals,

Operational details

Swiss farms are trying to alleviate the heat stress of cows with innovative solutions. Showers and fans were installed in the stables to cool the animals. In addition, trees were planted in pastures to provide natural shade for cows. The ideal temperature for Swiss cows is between 5 and 15 degrees. Animals go into heat stress when the thermometer exceeds the ideal temperature.

According to data from the Swiss Agricultural Federation, in 2022, 75% of Swiss farms said they had suffered losses due to dog farming. The most affected region was the Canton of Ticino, where the temperature was above 35 degrees on several days.

Farms are also exploring genetics to find solutions to help cows better tolerate the heat. A Holstein calf was born with a natural genetic mutation that allows it to better regulate body temperature. This type of mutation was identified thanks to research conducted by the Swiss Agricultural Research Centre (fat) in St. Gallen.

One of the most innovative farms in the sector is the farm of Saviènes, in the Canton of Graubünden. The company, led by Ursula Berger, has installed a cooling system that uses water to cool the cows. The system was installed in 2020 and has already shown a 10% increase in milk production

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Key points

Swiss dairy farms are seeking to alleviate the stress of heat on cows with innovative solutions. Showers and fans have been installed in the stables to cool the animals. In addition, trees have been planted in the pastures to provide natural shade for the cows. If you are a border or a Swiss resident concerned about Swiss cows during the heatwave, you can take action to help them. You can visit Swiss dairy farms to see how they are working to alleviate the stress of heat on cows. In addition, you can support Swiss dairy farms that are working to find solutions to help cows better tolerate heat. Switzerland is a country with a variable climate, but during the summer it can become very hot, especially in the southern regions such as Ticino and Italian-speaking Switzerland. According to data from the Swiss Meteorological Service, 2022 was one of the hottest years in Swiss history, with average temperatures of 22°C in July and August. Swiss dairy farms are seeking to adopt innovative solutions to alleviate the stress of heat on cows. For example, the "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm in Bellinzona, in the canton of Ticino, has installed an irrigation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day. The farm has also planted apple and cherry trees in the pastures to provide natural shade for the cows. In addition, the "Hofberg" dairy farm in Lucerne, in the canton of Lucerne, has installed a ventilation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day. The farm has also created a herb garden to provide a healthy environment for the cows. Swiss law requires that dairy farms provide a healthy environment for cows. According to the Federal Law on Animal Welfare (LSBA), dairy farms must ensure that cows have access to a cool and well-ventilated environment during the hottest hours of the day. The law also requires that dairy farms provide suitable equipment for cows, such as showers and fans. Here is a checklist to help Swiss cows better tolerate heat: - Visit Swiss dairy farms to see how they are working to alleviate the stress of heat on cows. - Support Swiss dairy farms that are working to find solutions to help cows better tolerate heat. - Help Swiss dairy farms to install irrigation and ventilation systems to cool the cows during the hottest hours of the day. - Plant trees in the pastures to provide natural shade for the cows. - Support initiatives to create herb gardens to provide a healthy environment for the cows. In conclusion, Swiss dairy farms are seeking to alleviate the stress of heat on cows with innovative solutions. If you are a border or a Swiss resident concerned about Swiss cows during the heatwave, you can take action to help them. Visit Swiss dairy farms, support initiatives to alleviate the stress of heat on cows, and help Swiss dairy farms to install irrigation and ventilation systems to cool the cows during the hottest hours of the day. CTA: Salary Calculator ▸ Here is an example of how a Swiss dairy farm can reduce the stress of heat on cows: - Installation of an irrigation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day: CHF 10'000 - Planting of trees in the pastures to provide natural shade for the cows: CHF 5'000 - Creation of a herb garden to provide a healthy environment for the cows: CHF 3'000 - Installation of a ventilation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day: CHF 8'000 Total: CHF 26'000 ▸ Here is a comparison between two practical scenarios: - Scenario 1: The "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm in Bellinzona, in the canton of Ticino, has installed an irrigation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day and has planted apple and cherry trees in the pastures to provide natural shade for the cows. - Scenario 2: The "Hofberg" dairy farm in Lucerne, in the canton of Lucerne, has installed a ventilation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day and has created a herb garden to provide a healthy environment for the cows. In this comparison, the "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm spent CHF 10'000 to install the irrigation system and CHF 5'000 to plant trees in the pastures, for a total of CHF 15'000. The "Hofberg" dairy farm spent CHF 8'000 to install the ventilation system and CHF 3'000 to create the herb garden, for a total of CHF 11'000. In this comparison, the "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm spent CHF 4'000 more than the "Hofberg" dairy farm to alleviate the stress of heat on cows. However, the "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm installed an irrigation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day, while the "Hofberg" dairy farm installed a ventilation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day. In conclusion, both dairy farms have found innovative solutions to alleviate the stress of heat on cows, but with different costs. The "Fattoria del Bosco" dairy farm spent CHF 4'000 more than the "Hofberg" dairy farm to alleviate the stress of heat on cows, but installed an irrigation system that cools the cows during the hottest hours of the day.