{"id":6714,"date":"2026-07-07T15:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/blog\/adjusting-the-management-of-dairy-cows-during-heat-waves\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T16:21:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:21:22","slug":"adjusting-the-management-of-dairy-cows-during-heat-waves","status":"publish","type":"actualite","link":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/news\/adjusting-the-management-of-dairy-cows-during-heat-waves\/","title":{"rendered":"Heat Stress: Why Are energy licking buckets a Valuable Asset for Ruminants?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-hero-block_d9b0d3baf9e3a26277f738f3ceb6c994\" class=\"container-fluid page_header_banner_part  block-hero\"  style=\"background: url(https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fond-blog.png) no-repeat center \/ cover;\" >\n    <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col-12\">\n                <nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-8 text-center\">\n                \n                <h1>Heat Stress: Why Are energy licking buckets a Valuable Asset for Ruminants?<\/h1>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When temperatures rise, livestock producers naturally think about <strong>watering<\/strong>, <strong>ventilation, or <\/strong> <strong>providing shade for their animals.<\/strong> However, the effects of heat stress <strong>often<\/strong> appear <strong>sooner than<\/strong> one might imagine and <strong>directly impact the digestion, performance, and well-being<\/strong> of ruminants. High-producing cows may already show signs of heat stress <strong>as early as 20 to 22 \u00b0C when <\/strong>humidity is high or nights remain warm<br\/>In this context, lick blocks offer <strong>a practical solution<\/strong> to help animals <strong>cope and support their digestive balance<\/strong> during the summer. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 heading\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heat stress disrupts digestion in ruminants<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first signs of heat stress do not necessarily result in an immediate drop in production. <strong>An increase in respiratory rate is often observed first , along <\/strong>with <strong>changes in feeding and drinking behavior.<\/strong><br\/>This faster breathing is generally accompanied <strong>by a decrease in rumination. <\/strong>However, rumination plays a <strong>fundamental role in <\/strong>saliva production. Less saliva means less buffering capacity in the rumen, which <strong>disrupts the balance of ruminal fermentation.<\/strong><br\/>Furthermore, animals tend to <strong>shift part of their feed intake<\/strong> to the coolest hours of the day. The amounts of forage and feed consumed over short periods of time then increase <strong>the risk of digestive imbalances.<\/strong>   <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 heading\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact on Performance and comfort<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When feed intake decreases due to heat, <strong>energy requirements<\/strong> are no longer optimally met. The most productive animals are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In dairy cows, a decrease in feed intake can quickly <strong>lead to an energy deficit<\/strong>, resulting in particular in a <strong>decrease in milk production.<\/strong> In the longer term, metabolism, immunity, and reproduction may also be affected <strong>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining a regular feed intake and preserving rumen function are therefore key priorities for<strong> limiting the effects of heat stress.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 heading\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits of energy licking buckets<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using energy licking buckets during periods of extreme heat can help:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To stimulate <strong>saliva <\/strong>production <strong>and <\/strong>the rumen&#8217;s <strong>natural buffering mechanism <\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support <strong>ruminal function; <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve the <strong>digestibility of <\/strong>the diet;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promote the <strong>maintenance of <\/strong>dry matter intake;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimize the risk of <strong>metabolic disorders; <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supplement <strong>vitamin and mineral intake<\/strong> when needs increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By helping animals maintain more regular digestive activity, energy licking buckets help <strong>sustain performance despite <\/strong>adverse weather conditions.<br\/>Beyond their nutritional benefits, energy licking buckets are also appealing because they <strong>\u2019re easy to use.<\/strong> They require no mixing or complex distribution and are generally well accepted by the animals. Providing them offers <strong>targeted support<\/strong> during heat waves or any other <strong>stressful<\/strong> situation. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 heading\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check out our energy licking buckets : <\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/products\/energy-licking-buckets\/\">I&#8217;m discovering it!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"6723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-1900x1267.jpg 1900w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-1320x880.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-990x660.jpg 990w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AgravisRind2022_2361.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"441\" data-id=\"6724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7.png 577w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7-450x344.png 450w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7-330x252.png 330w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7-180x138.png 180w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Image7-500x382.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"6726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-1900x1267.jpg 1900w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-1320x880.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-990x660.jpg 990w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Trockensteher-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:99px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When temperatures rise, livestock producers naturally think about watering, ventilation, or providing shade for their animals. However, the effects of heat stress often appear sooner than one might imagine and directly impact the digestion, performance, and well-being of ruminants. High-producing cows may already show signs of heat stress as early as 20 to 22 \u00b0C [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6721,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"besoin":[88],"enjeux":[],"espece":[110],"news_type":[171],"class_list":["post-6714","actualite","type-actualite","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","besoin-digestive-balance","espece-ruminants-en","news_type-technical-advice"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite\/6714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/actualite"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite\/6714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6733,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite\/6714\/revisions\/6733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"besoin","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/besoin?post=6714"},{"taxonomy":"enjeux","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/enjeux?post=6714"},{"taxonomy":"espece","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/espece?post=6714"},{"taxonomy":"news_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_type?post=6714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}