Heat stress is a growing concern for dairy farmers in Wisconsin. Rising nighttime temperatures and reduced wind speeds from rural development have increased the need for mechanical ventilation in dairy buildings. While ventilation fans help maintain cow comfort and milk production during heat-stress events, they also significantly increase electricity costs. This fact sheet discusses the balance between the economic benefits of mechanical ventilation and its associated costs, using the weather data collected over the past five years in the Madison (Wisconsin, US) area.

Every dairy farmer knows that the first few weeks after calving are critical. Fresh cows face a cascade of health challenges – metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, milk fever, retained placenta, and mastitis – that can drain profitability through lost milk, delayed pregnancies, higher culling, and veterinary bills. What is less clear is exactly how much these problems cost, and whether spending more on fresh cow monitoring would actually pay for itself. 

Wisconsin dairy producers can access the tool for free by reaching out to Victor Cabrera.

3rd Tuesday of each month from 11 am - 12 pm CT

Setting transition cows up for success

The transition period is one of the most challenging times for dairy cows, in which they experience several physiological and behavioral stressors. These challenges can be detrimental to cows’ success on the dairy and their welfare. In this webinar, Dr. Creutzinger will discuss current transition cow management in the Midwest and opportunities to reduce stress during this period. 

Raising dairy calves and replacement heifers is a major expense for Wisconsin dairies; tracking these costs and benchmarking against peers supports better management decisions. Periodically, Wisconsin Extension Educators have collected farm level data to track these costs. Extension is currently seeking this information and needs your help.  If you are interested in having a dairy educator reach out to you, please provide your contact information by clicking the button below.

UW-Madison Extension educators invite you to take a biosecurity survey to determine what dairy producers already know about biosecurity, and what and how they would like to learn more. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. 

This event will feature a morning with expert presentations from University of Wisconsin Extension and Industry presenters, Q&A with dairy farmers and their advisors who are feeding high oleic soybeans, and lunch.  This will be followed by an afternoon on farm with interactive activities. 

Heat stress reduces milk production and increases costs, while fan energy prices keep rising. Protect your herd and bottom line with the free Dairy Ventilation app, available now on Google Play and the App Store.

Using live local GPS weather, it tracks THI, assesses heat stress risk, and delivers tailored ventilation advice and cost analyses. Download it today to make smart, data-driven decisions for your operation!

For questions, suggestions, or feedback, please reach out to Nesli Akdeniz at nesli@wisc.edu or (608)262-0613.

Fall 2026

Bovi-Noticias is a bilingual (English & Spanish) printable newsletter delivering accessible, research-based information to support dairy farms and their employees.

All hay prices quoted are dollars per ton FOB point of origin for alfalfa hay unless otherwise noted. The information presented in this report is compiled from public and private quality tested sales and reports in the Midwest. 

This month: Trivia

Is Wisconsin’s average July temperature Below or Above 70°F?

This digital newsletter is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension with special support from the Agriculture Institute and the Dairy Team.

Please make requests for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational programs as early as possible preceding the scheduled program, service or activity.

For communicative accommodations in languages other than English, please contact oaic@extension.wisc.edu.

For communicative accommodations based on a disability, please contact Heather Lipinski Stelljes at: heather.stelljes@wisc.edu.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.