Italian Dairy Farms Add Cooling Systems as Heatwaves Cut Milk Output

Farmers in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region now keep barn windows open around the clock during heatwaves instead of only at night. The change protects cows that produce milk for Parmigiano Reggiano, the only cheese permitted in five provinces where animals must eat grass and hay grown locally.

When temperatures exceed 40 °C, cows lie down more and eat less, cutting output by up to 10 percent. Without rain, grass fails to grow and hay cannot be produced, leaving no feed for the required milk.

Producers have installed fans and water-mist systems to cool the animals. The added equipment has increased energy costs for farms and for the warehouses that age the cheese. More than 500,000 wheels valued at more than €300 million sit in two facilities run by Magazzini Generali delle Tagliate in Reggio Emilia and Modena provinces.

Daily energy consumption at the warehouses rose about 30 percent during this year's peak heatwaves. The company has upgraded cooling systems, boilers, insulation and renewable-energy capacity to limit further increases. Each wheel still receives X-ray scans and weekly hammer-tap inspections by experts.

The broader Parmigiano Reggiano industry generates an estimated €4.5 billion in annual revenue, employs thousands and sends more than half its output abroad, with the United States as the largest export market. Production requires at least 12 months of aging and sometimes three years or longer. The cheese has existed for more than 800 years.