Heat stress is not only due to climate, but housing conditions and ventilation management of the barns play an important role as well. This survey conducted by Lallemand Animal Nutrition allows to estimate the cost of heat stress in terms of energy loss: between 0.4 to 2.1 Kg per day of reduced feed intake in lactating sows!

Combined nutritional approaches to help sows and pigs tackle heat stress

Improve feed intake!

Pigs must adopt various mechanisms to maintain their body temperature:

1. Dissipate the heat mainly through an exacerbate panting and increased breathing rate

2. Reduce the heat production by slowing down some metabolic process generating heat, in particular digestion and nutrients absorption.

These responses to heat stress translate into lower feed intake with consequences on the growth and reproductive performance, and milk production.

It is then critical to maintain a good feed intake and optimal digestive process during heat stress.

LEVUCELL SB, specific probiotic yeast, has consistently shown to increase the feed intake during lactation, to favor the piglets' performance at weaning and to help preserve the sows body conditions. (Meta-analysis of 10 trials, Chevaux et al., 2015)

In fattening pigs, LEVUCELL SB, has shown positive effect on growth performance under high temperature and humidity conditions.

Tackle seasonal infertility!

Reproductive performance can be altered by an elevated oxidative stress associated with pregnancy. The production of oxygen free radicals at different cellular locations is favored by the high metabolic rate of the uterus and the embryo. A disrupted antioxidant system is reported to be involved in a variety of complications such as fetal growth restriction or infertility. Since lactating sows experience an intense metabolic (heat) production, thus more susceptible to heat stress, it is important to ensure a good storage of cellular antioxidant molecules in the sows' organisms, during lactation and around the weaning to estrus period.

MELOFEED, dried melon juice rich in superoxide dismutase, and ALKOSEL, source of bioavailable selenium, maintain a good antioxidant defense system. This will help reduce oxidative stress level and in turn, support optimal reproductive performance.

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Article made possible through the contribution of Lallemand

Heat stress is a reality!