Cow cooling at Hamra Farm
When the heat is on – how to keep your cows cool
Hot weather puts real strain on dairy cows. Their size, thick hides and the energy needed for milk production make them highly vulnerable as temperatures rise. When heat stress isn’t managed, cows eat less, milk yield drops and fertility declines. Left unchecked, it can increase mastitis, hoof problems and lead to other costly health issues. Preventing heat stress isn’t just about good cow comfort – it directly protects farm performance and profitability.
At Hamra Farm, cooling is a core part of how we protect cow comfort and maintain a healthy barn climate throughout the year. When temperatures rise, cows struggle to release body heat, especially in still air. That’s why effective airflow is essential: steady movement of air helps evaporate moisture from the skin, lowers body temperature and keeps the barn environment fresh.
And it’s important to remember that it doesn’t need to be extremely hot for cows to struggle. Heat stress can start at around 20 °C when humidity is high – so it’s something we even have to consider in Sweden, despite being a cooler country. High‑producing cows are the most sensitive, but dry cows are also affected. Heat stress during the dry period can harm calf development and reduce future milk production. It has a big impact. That’s why cooling strategies should be part of everyday planning – not just a summer consideration – to make sure cows aren’t pushed beyond their comfort zone.
So what are we doing at Hamra Farm? We’ll walk you through it below.
How we have planned the cow cooling system in the new VMS barn
It also starts with a good plan.
So what did we focus on when designing the cow‑cooling system in the new VMS barn? In this video, William Eriksson, Market Area Development Eastern Europe, DeLaval, walks you through how we planned the setup to encourage positive behaviour that supports high milk production and good health. We hope it offers some ideas for how you might plan a similar set‑up.
Milk production and reproduction performance
How does this tie into cow longevity? Preventing heat stress doesn’t just protect performance in the moment – it protects the cow over her whole lifetime. When cows stay cool, they maintain stable feed intake, produce milk consistently and conceive more easily. With strong milk yield and reproductive performance, we can keep cows in the herd for longer – resulting in lower emissions per kilogram of milk produced.
Cow cooling
Who doesn’t love a breath of fresh air? We definitely do at Hamra Farm. Watch as Åsa Andersson, Market Solution Manager Sweden, gives us a quick walk‑through of how our cooling system is making sure our cows stay comfortable.
Like William Eriksson's barn layout video (above), Åsa reinforces that one of the most important things we did at Hamra Farm was install high‑performing, directed cooling fans (DDF1500) directly above the cubicles where cows spend most of their time resting. These fans automatically adjust their speed based on barn conditions, delivering strong airflow on hot days and a gentler, steady breeze when it’s cooler.
Even in spring and autumn, we run the fans at lower speeds to improve ventilation and support overall barn health – a simple step that also helps reduce flies and dust. This setup keeps cows comfortable, cubicles dry and air quality high across all seasons.
Are we seeing any benefits?
We definitely are:
- Stable, high milk yields – We have some of the highest-yielding cows in Sweden, thanks to consistent comfort and reduced heat stress.
- Improved reproductive performance – Stable conception rates mean fewer delays in breeding cycles, keeping herd productivity on track.
- Low incidence of health problems – Mastitis, hoof issues, and metabolic disorders occur far less frequently, resulting in healthier cows and fewer veterinary interventions.
- Longer productive lifespans – Comfortable, healthy cows stay in the herd longer, reducing replacement needs and supporting sustainability.
- Stronger overall efficiency – Healthier, more productive cows mean better milk output, fewer health-related interruptions, and lower replacement costs – all contributing to a more resilient and profitable farm.
In a nutshell
Ultimately, keeping cows comfortable in hot weather is essential for their health, productivity, and welfare. With smart airflow and well‑designed barns equipped with effective cooling systems, we’re ensuring our herd stays cool, calm, and performing at its best.
Next up: we share how we’re enhancing udder health – another key to sustainable, high-quality milk production.