ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2024 45 flow to the rumen or digestive tract can impact barrier function of the intestines, causing gut inflammation and limiting nutrient absorption. In addition, swine and ruminants naturally try to reduce their body’s heat production by decreasing physical activity, seeking shade, limiting feed intake and/or increasing water consumption. It’s also common to observe an increase in the level of feed sorting by dairy cows during the hotter months of the year as they seek out more digestible feed ingredients, such as grains, to meet their energy demand. Notably, periods of high heat and humidity can increase yeast and mold growth in total mixed rations (TMR), and mold and its secondary metabolites (toxins) can further impact animal performance. Therefore, it is important to ensure animals receive the appropriate amount of feed evenly distributed throughout the day to reduce the chances of mold and yeast proliferation. Adding preservatives to TMR also can help control mold and yeast growth during ambient temperatures. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES The primary strategy to improve animal production during extreme heat conditions is effective farm management. Producers can monitor the weather forecast to proactively implement strategies that mitigate the risk of heat stress. Digital tools also help monitor environmental parameters, like the temperature, humidity, air and water quality, providing accurate data that may support animal health and increase productivity. Ensuring animals have ample access to fresh water, fans, shade and sprinklers can help, as well as proper ventilation and avoiding feeding during the hottest hours of the day. Decreasing animal density is also recommended, when possible, to improve animal comfort. NUTRITION SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE HEAT STRESSORS Certain feed additives have been shown to support animal performance during periods of high heat. Much attention has focused on the use of live microorganisms and yeast products to help modulate the immune system, helping the animal fortify its defenses against stressors. Another area of research has been with plant extracts such as capsaicin. Found in chili peppers, capsaicin may help mitigate heat stress through vasodilation, improvements in feed eating patterns and water intake. However, not all additives in this class are created or delivered equally. For example, the technology to distribute active ingredients in an inert manner is very important due to potential negative palatability concerns without proper coating on the product. Furthermore, the formulation may need to be adapted based on regional regulations and ingredient availability. ADM’s FreshUp concept is a tailored nutrition formulation to meet the animal’s daily nutritional needs and help manage heat-related challenges on poultry, swine and ruminants. This unique blend of ingredients is customized for each species and may include plant extracts, Pichia guilliermondii inactivated yeast, organic trace minerals and/or sweeteners that are supplemented in premix, complete feed or TMR. These
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