Breaking the Cycle: Multigenerational Effects of Late-Gestation Heat Stress and the Potential Mitigating Role of Methionine

As global temperatures rise and heat waves intensify, heat stress is no longer a seasonal nuisance; it is a major physiological disruptor with consequences that extend far beyond today’s milk tank. The immediate impacts of heat stress on intakes, milk yield, and components, as well as health, have been well documented and can be noticed immediately by producers. However, long-term consequences of heat stress often go unnoticed by producers. Recent research has uncovered the hidden side of heat stress in dairy cattle, documenting that in addition to milk production losses, heat stress during late gestation also affects the lifetime performance of subsequent generations of cows. While cooling and heat abatement remain critical, meeting essential nutrient requirements, such as the amino acid methionine, during heat stress can add protection.

In this webinar with Dr. Jimena Laporta, we will take a deep dive into:

• Physiological mechanisms by which heat stress disrupts production and health

• The latest research on the multigenerational effects of heat stress during the dry period

• The potential role of methionine as a nutritional strategy to mitigate the effects of heat stress for both transition cows and their offspring