Lloyd Wolf, Sr. and Lloyd Wolf, Jr.
Windthorst, Texas

The Wolfs of Windthorst, Texas, know the importance of selecting the highest quality forage for maximum dry matter intake during summer heat stress. They also provide two feet of water trough space per cow at the parlor exit. Other special feeding considerations during the heat include changing the feeding schedule to early mornings and late evenings when it is cooler, and increasing potassium in the TMR.

The use of fans and misters in the holding area keeps the cows more comfortable. They also get a soaking with a spray nozzle in the return alley. Shade is provided in the feeding area and for dry cows as well. Cows are housed in a drylot.

"Along with proper cooling, we continue using POSILAC through the summer months," says Lloyd. "We see a definite increase in summer production with the use of cooling and POSlLAC." Cows are supplemented with POSILAC^® at 63 days in milk and continued until dry off. They have been using POSlLAC since February 1994 on eligible cows.

At High Hill Dairy, the 725 Holstein cows have a rolling herd average of 25,517 pounds. Current production is 83 pounds at 190 days in milk, with 955 pounds fat and 856 pounds of protein. This is very important data to Lloyd when evaluating herd performance. Average summer production is 71 pounds of milk per cow per day. He feels the estimated response to POSILAC during the summer months is a seven pound increase per cow per day. Cows are milked in a herringbone parlor.