Systems and methods for feeding sugar alcohol to ruminants during periods of heat stress

A method of feeding a transition ruminant during a transition phase, the method comprising:

• during a period where ambient temperature conditions are at least 70° F., determining the transition ruminant is experiencing heat stress while the transition ruminant is pregnant by observing two or more of an about 10 percent decrease in dry matter intake, increased respirations, open mouth breathing, increased panting or sweating;
• and
• during pregnancy, feeding the heat stressed transition ruminant a diet comprising an amount of sugar alcohol effective to improve milk production after calving,
• wherein the sugar alcohol comprises at least one of sorbitol, xylitol, adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galactitol, glucitol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol or threitol, and
• wherein the transition phase of the transition ruminant is defined by a period during which the ruminant is pregnant and extending through calving by the ruminant.

A method of feeding a lactating ruminant, the method comprising:

• feeding the lactating ruminant a diet comprising sugar alcohol in view of a potential for the ruminant to experience heat stress;
• and
• determining the lactating ruminant is experiencing heat stress by observing one or more of elevated internal body temperature, open mouth breathing, increased panting, sweating or failed reproduction,
• wherein the sugar alcohol ingested in the diet is effective to improve milk production of the heat stressed lactating ruminant, and
• wherein the sugar alcohol comprises at least one of sorbitol, xylitol, adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galactitol, glucitol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol or threitol.