Extreme heat cuts milk production

By the Associated Press

CREATED Jul. 17, 2012

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COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. (AP) -- Dairy farmers in Wisconsin are trying to keep their herds cool in this extreme heat in order to sustain milk production.

But, many are losing that battle. Cottage Grove farmer Dan Niesen says milk production has dropped 15 to 25 percent. Niesen uses fans inside his barn and makes sure his cows have plenty of water. Each animal can drink up to 100 gallons a day.

Hot cows are more likely to eat less and in turn, produce a reduced amount of milk.

Niesen tells WKOW-TV (http://bit.ly/MrytjC ) his corn crop is still alive because the soil in Dane County holds moisture better than some other areas. He says the corn still needs at least one good soaking rain in the next week to survive.

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Information from: WKOW-TV, http://www.wkow.com