How do dairy farmers keep cows comfortable in extreme weather conditions?

Australia is a land of extremes - from heatwaves, droughts and bushfires to flooding rains and muddy paddocks. 

Our dairy farmers know this all too well and are proactive in adapting to the way they care for their cows. 

Cows can start to feel the effects of heat stress at just 25 degrees with moderate humidity. It can impact how they eat, rest, and produce milk. And when the weather turns wet, too much time in the mud can lead to hoof problems and lameness. 

In response to these climate pressures, farmers are adapting their systems to improve cow comfort - from moving cows into covered sheds or creating a hybrid system that gives them shelter when they need it and enables them to graze in a paddock when they don’t. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The approach depends on the farm’s geography, the regional climate, and most of all, what keeps cows safe, healthy and comfortable. 

Because whether it’s pasture or housing, the goal is the same: doing what’s best for the herd.

Below are examples of a typical day for a cow in different farming set ups – grazing, managed open yard, loose housing, and freestall. 

A typical day for a cow on a grazing dairy farm 

(Most common system in Australia) 

On a farm where cows graze in a paddock eating fresh pasture, cows spend most of their time outdoors. 

Each morning, the farmer brings their cows from the paddock into the milking shed. After milking, the cows walk back to a paddock to graze pasture. They’ll rest, ruminate (chew their cud), and drink from clean water troughs throughout the day.

In hot weather, the cows will seek out shade under trees or purpose-built shelters. In wet conditions, farmers may rotate cows more frequently, and use other paddocks that are drier and have better drainage to avoid muddy conditions.

At the end of the day, the cows return to the dairy for a second milking - then it’s back to graze pasture and rest under the stars.

(Note, some farmers milk once a day).

A typical day in a managed open yard*

(Common in regions subject to adverse climatic conditions) 

 In a managed open yard system, cows spend their days in open, outdoor spaces with plenty of room to move, lie down, and socialise — all with shelter nearby to protect them from the sun and rain. 

They’re offered a carefully balanced diet of silage, hay and grain in a central feeding area, especially during the hotter, drier months or when paddocks are too wet to graze — like in winter. In many cases, cows are still rotated onto pasture when conditions allow, making this a flexible hybrid system. 

Cows are milked twice a day and return to the open yard between milkings. The surface is kept clean and comfortable, with bedding or well-managed ground to prevent issues like lameness. 

Farmers keep a close eye on every cow — monitoring how much they eat, how they move, and how they’re feeling. On hotter days, cooling systems like fans or misters may be used to help keep cows comfortable. 

It’s a practical system that supports animal welfare in regions where pasture alone isn’t always an option year-round. 

*referred to as ‘dairy dry-lot’ or ‘feedpad’ in the industry 

A typical day in a loose housing 

(Indoor-outdoor flexibility) 

 In loose housing, cows live in a large covered shed that allows them to move around freely. The shed is bedded with straw, sand, wood shavings mixed with compost, or soft mats for comfort, and there’s ample space for resting, feeding, and socialising. 

Cows are milked twice daily and return to their shelter between sessions. Some loose shelters also offer outdoor yards or pasture access, giving cows the option to go outside depending on the season or weather. 

Inside, temperature and airflow are managed with fans, ventilation, and shade to ensure cows stay cool and comfortable, especially during heatwaves or storms. 

Farmers can keep a close eye on individual cows to monitor health, behaviour, and wellbeing. 

A typical day in a freestall  

(Extreme climates) 

 In a freestall, cows live indoors under partially or fully enclosed structures year-round, with clearly defined spaces for feeding, resting, walking, and socialising. Each cow has her own “stall” to lie down in, with soft bedding or rubber mats for comfort. 

Cows are free to move about as they please to eat, drink, ruminate, or interact with herd mates. Some farms even use robotic milking systems, so cows can choose when they get milked. 

The environment is carefully controlled with ventilation, shade, and cooling systems to reduce heat stress and support cow welfare. Manure is regularly cleaned to keep the barn clean and dry. 

This type of shelter allows for cows to be carefully monitored and provided a consistent level of care especially in extreme climates. 

 

Third party resources are provided below. 

Resources

Farm Systems