{"id":6844,"date":"2026-07-27T11:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T09:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/blog\/heat-stress-why-are-energy-licking-buckets-a-valuable-asset-for-ruminants\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T11:39:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T09:39:36","slug":"heat-stress-why-are-energy-licking-buckets-a-valuable-asset-for-ruminants-2","status":"publish","type":"actualite","link":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/news\/heat-stress-why-are-energy-licking-buckets-a-valuable-asset-for-ruminants-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Late-Summer Calving: How Can We Help Calves Stay Healthy Despite Heat Stress?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/div>\n<div id=\"block-hero-block_cd6965f4dfcfe1b8357c05fb57a84f27\" 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>Late-Summer Calving: How Can We Maintain Calves&#8217; Vitality Despite Heat Stress?<\/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\">Every year, late-summer calving presents <strong>a particular challenge for <\/strong>dairy farmers. When cows experience heat stress during the final weeks of gestation, the consequences extend beyond their comfort or performance: they can also directly affect<strong> the quality of the calf at birth.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lower body weight, reduced vitality, weakened immunity\u2026<\/strong> the effects of heat can be felt from the very first hours of life. In this context, colostrum management becomes <strong>a key factor in <\/strong>ensuring a healthy start for young animals. <\/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\">Why does heat stress affect calves?<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Toward the end of gestation, the female\u2019s nutritional needs increase significantly to support fetal growth. However, during periods of extreme heat, animals naturally reduce their food intake to limit the heat generated by digestion. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This decrease in food intake is accompanied by metabolic disturbances and an increase in oxidative stress.  <strong>As a result, the calf&#8217;s development can be affected even before it is born.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Toward the end of gestation, it is essential to provide mothers with vitamins and trace minerals<\/strong>. Calves born to mothers that have experienced heat stress often exhibit: <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A lower birth weight;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced vitality;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A less pronounced sucking reflex;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greater susceptibility to dehydration;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A weakened immune system during the first few weeks of life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These consequences are even more pronounced when the quality of the colostrum itself is compromised.<\/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\">Colostrum: A Calf\u2019s First Line of Defense<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At birth, calves have virtually <strong>no immunity.<\/strong> Their only source of protection against pathogens is the colostrum they consume during the first few hours of life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 heading\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does the quality of colostrum decline in the summer?<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thermal stress experienced by mothers late in gestation can reduce the quality of the colostrum they produce.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When exposed to heat:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Food consumption is declining;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Energy metabolism is disrupted;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Oxidative stress increases;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Levels of immunoglobulins and antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A and E) may decrease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Colostrum then becomes less rich in nutrients essential to the newborn\u2019s immune system. Immune transfer is less effective, and calves are more susceptible to digestive and health problems during their first weeks of life. <strong>Colostrum quality is lower in the summer; combined with lower calf birth weights, it becomes essential to provide support to calves to ensure they get off to a good start<\/strong>. <\/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\">Top Tips for Summer<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minimizing heat stress in mothers to maintain adequate calf weight and colostrum quality<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Caring for calves at birth by providing them with immunity and energy<\/strong><\/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 heading\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Patoral Se, a valuable supplement for calves born after an episode of heat stress<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a calf has been affected by heat stress during gestation, it may be born with limited energy reserves and a weaker immune system.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/?attachment_id=4567\">Patoral Se<\/a><\/strong> was designed to support these young animals from their very first hours of life, thanks to a formulation that combines:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quickly available energy (flaxseed oil, MPG);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Antioxidants (Vitamin C, grape seeds, vitamin E, selenium)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chelated trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn) for effective absorption<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yeast to nourish the gut microbiota<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This supplement helps support the newborn calf\u2019s vitality, stimulate colostrum intake, and provide support during high-risk periods, particularly during summer calving.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In suckler herds, the mineral intake of the dams <strong>is often<\/strong> insufficient late in gestation for <strong>animals on pasture<\/strong>. In these situations, calves may start life with more limited reserves. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In dairy herds, for <\/strong>late-summer calvings, if newborn calves are kept in calf pens, the temperature inside can rise very high, so be sure to keep them in a shaded area to minimize heat stress.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using<strong> Patoral Se <\/strong>thus<strong> provides <\/strong>additional support during the critical calving period, helping the young animal get off to a good start and better realize its potential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\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 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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>Every year, late-summer calving presents a particular challenge for dairy farmers. When cows experience heat stress during the final weeks of gestation, the consequences extend beyond their comfort or performance: they can also directly affect the quality of the calf at birth. Lower body weight, reduced vitality, weakened immunity\u2026 the effects of heat can be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6857,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"besoin":[92],"enjeux":[],"espece":[110],"news_type":[171],"class_list":["post-6844","actualite","type-actualite","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","besoin-vitality-and-immunity","espece-ruminants-en","news_type-technical-advice"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite\/6844","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\/6844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6895,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualite\/6844\/revisions\/6895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"besoin","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/besoin?post=6844"},{"taxonomy":"enjeux","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/enjeux?post=6844"},{"taxonomy":"espece","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/espece?post=6844"},{"taxonomy":"news_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deltavit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_type?post=6844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}