First Heat Stress Insurance Solution Available to Michigan Dairy Producers
- amy55735
- May 19
- 1 min read
LANSING, Mich. — Economic losses due to heat-stressed dairy herds are estimated to exceed $1.5 billion a year, “in large part because of the Holstein’s intolerance for heat,” according to Cornell University researchers. That research found heat stress impacts milk quality and production, with losses beginning to occur at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, ranging from 30% to 70% in extreme weather scenarios.
Similarly, a 2023 University of Minnesota study found a loss of milk production ranging from 2.5 pounds to more than 10 pounds per head per day in extreme heat stress events.
Fortunately, Michigan dairy producers now have an option, beyond sprinklers and fans, to manage the financial risk of lost milk production due to higher average temperatures and more intense, longer lasting heat waves during the summer months.
May 18, 2025
Comments