In tropical parts of Australia and the US, heat stress can kill cows—or at least cut milk yields. Now researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a thermal load monitor that warns farmers when their herds are at risk.
The device continually measures the energy needed to keep a water-cooled matt black aluminium “football” at about 38.6 °C—the body temperature of a healthy cow. The more energy is consumed, the more likely it is that cattle will overheat.
