Improved cooling is still the most profitable and effective way to improve both milk
production and reproduction during the summer months. Even generally milder climates
experience HS or heat waves that dramatically reduce fertility. Dry cows are also susceptible to
HS and should be provided some type of cooling to improve subsequent fertility after calving.
Postpartum HS can significantly decrease pregnancy rates with impacts lingering well into the
fall months. Designing strategies to reduce negative effects of HS on fertility; such as enhanced
cooling, ration adjustments, and reproductive protocol changes, will improve dairy farm
profitability.