ISSUE FOCUS 44 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2024 Heat-related stressors affect all agriculturally important livestock species, and this environmental challenge to animal production may become increasingly prevalent with climate change. High ambient temperatures—which can occur at any time of year—limit an animal’s ability to maintain energetic, thermal, hormonal and mineral balance. When temperatures rise above the thermal neutral zone, lactation, reproduction and growth performance are negatively impacted, as the body allocates nutrients away from these functions to address the immediate need of coping with stressors and mitigating the adverse effects. Strategic nutrition management is increasingly critical to help improve farm animals’ response to high heat conditions. Numerous feeding strategies and feed additives have shown to be effective in helping livestock stay healthy and productive throughout high heat periods. A nutritionist can help producers navigate the many options to best achieve their goals. PHYSIOLOGICAL & BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES FROM HEAT STRESS To adapt to heat-related stressors, pigs and cattle will first induce heat loss by conduction, meaning blood flow is diverted through extremities and heat dissipates through the skin, and by evaporation, or increasing the respiratory rate to decrease internal temperature. Consequently, this reduction in blood "Mitigating heat stress is crucial to achieving efficient, profitable and sustainable animal agriculture operations. Effective farm management can support animal production during extreme heat conditions, as well as strategic nutrition solutions. Understanding the mode of action of specific feed additives can help producers ensure products are designed to work in a manner that supports their goals." MANAGING HIGH HEAT CONDITIONS THROUGH NUTRITION Sarah Cooper Global Director, Creation, Design & Development Animal Health & Nutrition, ADM Fabien Guillard Head of Global Swine Segment ADM Animal Nutrition Guillaume Olivier Head of Global Ruminant Segment ADM Animal Nutrition
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