ARTICLE 72 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2025 SUPPORTING DAIRY COWS DURING HEAT STRESS Anna-Lena Beckmann Product Manager for Ruminants Dostofarm “Modern high-yielding dairy cows, while genetically superior, exhibit increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders and fertility issues. Maintaining optimal gut health is paramount in mitigating these risks and ensuring efficient nutrient utilization, especially when environmental stressors like heat are present.” Heat waves and high temperatures pose a significant challenge to dairy cows’ well-being and performance. As animals struggle to regulate their body temperature, feed intake and growth suffer, hindering the realization of their full genetic potential. So, what effective strategies can producers employ to support their dairy cows during these demanding periods? One promising approach lies in the strategic inclusion of rumen-available and encapsulated oregano oil in the dairy cow ration. This natural solution offers multifaceted benefits, supporting both rumen and intestinal function, which is particularly crucial during periods of heat stress. THE GUT-PERFORMANCE CONNECTION Modern high-yielding dairy cows, while genetically superior, exhibit increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders and fertility issues. Maintaining optimal gut health is paramount in mitigating these risks and ensuring efficient nutrient utilization, especially when environmental stressors like heat are present. Essential oils, as natural feed additives, are gaining recognition for their ability to support animal health in a holistic manner. UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF ESSENTIAL OILS Essential oils, complex mixtures of volatile aromatic compounds produced by plants, serve various ecological roles, from attracting pollinators to deterring pests and pathogens. Their inherent antimicrobial properties have also garnered attention in animal nutrition. OREGANO OIL: A NATURAL ALLY AGAINST HEAT STRESS Among essential oils, oregano essential oil stands out due to its appetizing aroma and its potential to naturally bolster animal health (Reichling et al. 2016). In livestock farming, it acts as a feed additive, enhancing feed palatability and consequently increasing feed intake and digestibility – crucial when heat-stressed animals tend to eat less. Furthermore, oregano oil, rich in bioactive compounds like carvacrol, exhibits antioxidant, antiviral, and antifungal properties (Leyva-LÓpez et al. 2017). It exerts a modulating and stabilizing influence on the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal microbiome. Studies in monogastric animals have
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==