Brad Adams, co-owner of Adams Dairy Farm, turns on the sprinklers to keep his dairy cows cool, especially on blistering hot sunny days when the mercury nears triple digits.

"In our neck of the woods we get the humidity and the heat right, so cows don't sweat," Adams said. "So, we get hot, we sweat [and] we cool down. Cows can't do that. So they actually feel the heat worse than we do."

To keep the livestock cool, the farm has invested millions of dollars, including building a new barn with insulated ceilings, hanging dozens of fans and installing more water tanks.

Adams says if a cow gets heat stress, it won't breed as well and produces less milk, which will impact production.

"Our main business is making milk," he said. "So if we lose milk production per cow, that hurts our bottom line, and our profitability here at the dairy."

It's something leaders with Cornell Cooperative Extension don't want to see happen either. Based in counties throughout the state, Cornell Cooperative Extension teams send out fact based educational information and reminders, including to area farmers about protecting their livestock from the heat.

"They're part of the animal world, so they all need to be cared for," said Kelly McDonald, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cattaraugus County. "So we definitely need to watch out for them by providing safe spaces whether they're cool or warm based on the temperatures."

It's all in an effort to help the state's farms and farmers thrive.

"Whether it's financially, or to keep the animals healthy, that's the number one goal of our team is to help farmers keep their farm healthy in various ways," said McDonald.

Like Adams, who also keeps his workers cool and hydrated, and says he's appreciative to Cornell for getting the word out.

"Hey, go check your fans, make sure they're all running, make sure they're clean," Adams said. "It's a good reminder for us to, in our busy schedules, just make sure the stuff we do have is working properly so we get the full effect of the cooling we want."

In addition to information about keeping animals cool, Cornell Cooperative Extension also sends out fliers and newsletter about nutrition programs, its 2023 Broiler Field Days, and other related events.

More information about its programs can be found here.