As the warmer months approach, it’s crucial to ensure that your cooling systems are ready to handle the challenges of heat stress on your herd. Summer heat can be hard on dairy cows, but with the right preparation and maintenance, your cooling systems can help keep cows comfortable, healthy, and productive throughout the season.

Spring is the best time to get ahead of the heat by servicing your cooling systems, making any necessary upgrades, and integrating automation to make your life easier during the hot months. In this blog, we’ve suggested 5 things you can do to assure a successful and comfortable summer for your dairy operation.

1. Inspect and Clean Your Cooling Equipment

Before summer arrives, take the time to thoroughly inspect and clean all cooling equipment. Dust, debris, and buildup from the previous season can hinder the performance of fans, foggers, and soaker lines.

Key inspection areas:

• Fans: Ensure they are clean and free of obstructions. 1/10 of debris buildup can cause as much as a 20% loss on fan efficiency. Check for any damaged blades or loose connections. Fans should be functioning at optimal speed to provide the necessary airflow for cooling.
• Fogging systems: Clean the nozzles to prevent clogs and ensure the mist is being properly dispersed. Test the system to make sure it’s operating at full pressure. Pumps for fogging systems need the oil changed every 3 months or 500 hours. Confirm your pump has clean oil before the busy, hot season arrives.
• Soaker lines: Check for any leaks, blockages, or water pressure issues. Soakers should be providing a steady stream of water to cool the cows effectively.

Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure your equipment runs smoothly and efficiently when the heat hits.

2. Test and Calibrate Your Temperature Sensors

In order to maximize the effectiveness of your cooling system, your temperature sensors and environmental controls need to be calibrated correctly. These sensors play a critical role in adjusting the cooling systems to respond to changes in temperature and humidity.

Key steps:

• Check that your temperature sensors are accurately reading the barn’s environment. Incorrect readings can lead to over or under-cooling, wasting energy and not providing enough comfort for the cows.
• Ensure that your sensors are connected to your automated system (such as ACE Control) so that adjustments can be made automatically, keeping the barn at the optimal temperature without manual intervention.
  

3. Upgrade to Automated Cooling Systems

If you haven’t already implemented automated cooling solutions, consider investing in upgrades. Automation not only makes your cooling system more efficient but also frees up your time and reduces manual labor.

By upgrading to a fully integrated system like ACE Control, you can automate your cooling system to:

• Respond to changing temperatures and humidity levels from the palm of your hand.
• Track and monitor cooling performance in real time, providing you with valuable data for future improvements.
• Reduce the need for constant manual adjustments, ensuring that your herd remains comfortable 24/7.

Automation is a game-changer for dairy operations, ensuring that your cows receive consistent cooling while reducing your workload.

4. Check Water Supply and Pressure

Soaker lines and fogging systems rely heavily on a consistent water supply with adequate pressure. Now is the time to check your water system to ensure it is ready for peak demand during the summer months.

What to check:

• Water pressure: Ensure your water pressure is within the recommended range for your cooling system. Low pressure can affect the efficacy of soaker lines and foggers.
• Water supply: Inspect the water lines to make sure there are no leaks or obstructions that could reduce water flow.
• Water quality: In some cases, hard water can clog nozzles and reduce the efficiency of your cooling system. If necessary, consider installing water softeners to protect your equipment.

Having a reliable and efficient water supply is crucial to ensuring that your cooling system performs at its best.

5. Create a Cooling System Maintenance Plan

A solid maintenance plan will ensure that your cooling system runs smoothly throughout the summer. Take the time now to create a checklist for regular maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, inspecting, and testing the system.

Maintenance plan checklist:

• Inspect all fans, foggers, and soaker lines weekly during the summer months.
• Test and calibrate temperature sensors—once before summer and once at mid-season.
• Clean water lines and check for any signs of clogging or buildup every month.
• Monitor the performance of your automated system and make adjustments as needed.

Having a maintenance plan in place will keep your system operating at peak efficiency all season long, minimizing downtime and ensuring the comfort of your herd.

Be Proactive for Optimal Production

Preparing your cooling system for the summer months is crucial to minimizing the effects of heat stress on your cows and maximizing milk production. By following these 5 tips—inspecting and cleaning equipment, testing sensors, upgrading to automated systems, checking water supply and pressure, and creating a maintenance plan—you can ensure that your cooling system will perform efficiently throughout the hot season.

Don’t wait until the heat hits—start preparing now and make this summer your most successful yet. Need help getting a plan together? Let’s connect!