Dairy Farmers Battle Sweltering Heat to Keep Cows Cool
Dairy farmers in Palo Verde, Arizona are facing a significant challenge during the scorching summer months – keeping their cows cool. With energy bills running high, these farmers are tasked with cooling off thousands of cows weighing as much as 1,700 pounds each. The sweltering heat affects the cows’ productivity, as they tend to eat less and have reduced energy levels.
Josh Gladden, a fourth-generation farmer and manager of Saddle Mountain Dairy, explains that while dirt fields can accommodate cows during the winter, the summer months pose a different situation. The temperature difference between sun and shade can be massive, with cows seeking refuge under the shade in their pens. To maintain a comfortable environment, automated misters are employed, keeping the temperatures approximately 30 degrees cooler than the scorching sun.
As the temperature rises, the misters operate almost constantly to keep the cows cool and maintain their productivity. Saddle Mountain Dairy produces local milk for bottling, cheese, and other products, ensuring that the products found in grocery stores are fresh and local, typically reaching the shelves within 48 hours.
Gladden reveals that there are approximately just under 200,000 dairy cows in Arizona. At Saddle Mountain, the milking process starts bright and early at 4 a.m. every day. Machines milk all 3,000 cows, a process that takes about five to seven minutes for each batch of 72 cows. Afterward, the cows return to their pens to rest, relax, and eat, seeking relief underneath the fans and coolers.
However, running the cooling system constantly comes with high utility expenses. Gladden acknowledges that while it is a significant cost for the farm, not providing adequate cooling would result in even greater losses in production. The cows’ comfort directly impacts their productivity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a suitable environment for them.
The commitment to ensuring the cows’ well-being and maintaining efficient production is paramount for dairy farmers in the Valley. The struggles they face to combat the sweltering heat demonstrate their dedication and responsibility, while also highlighting the significance of local dairy producers. As the summer heat persists, these farmers battle on, striving to keep their cows cool and maintain the quality of their products. The efforts involved not only benefit the animals but also the consumers who rely on locally produced dairy goods.
