ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2025 71 • Guaranteeing continuous access to cool, clean drinking water, • Reducing stocking density to avoid overcrowding and help pigs manage their body temperature more effectively. While these methods are highly effective, they can require significant investment in infrastructure, making it all the more important to complement them with nutritional and hydration-based approaches that offer rapid, cost-efficient support. Genetic Selection Genetic selection offers a promising route to improve pig resilience under heat stress. Research shows that traits like rectal temperature, respiratory rate and feed intake under thermal load have heritable variation, making selection possible. Some tropical-adapted lines show improved performance in hot climates and may outperform commercial lines that excel under temperate conditions (Naguy et al., 2020). Genomic tools could make targeted selection more practical. Crossbreeding with heat-adapted local breeds is also an option to explore. Most reviews on climate resilience in livestock agree that breeding for heat tolerance is a key long-term strategy, because housing, ventilation and nutrition alone cannot fully compensate for rising temperatures due to climate change. Nutritional Interventions Nutrition plays a critical role in helping pigs manage heat stress. One of the key strategies is to reduce the heat increment of feeding. This can be achieved by increasing dietary fat, such as vegetable oils or animal fats, which generates less metabolic heat during digestion than carbohydrates or protein. Lowering dietary fibre and adjusting protein levels, while ensuring balanced amino acid supply, also helps reduce the internal heat burden. Supplementing with bioactive compounds such as antioxidants (for example, vitamin E and selenium), chromium to improve insulin sensitivity, and betaine as an osmoprotectant, will support the immune response and metabolic resilience under heat challenges. Maintaining feed intake is equally important. Offering smaller, more frequent meals during cooler periods of the day encourages consumption without overloading the digestive system. Wet or pelleted feed may also be better accepted during hot weather. And of course, access to clean, cool water is essential. ACT NOW TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HERD AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE With summer temperatures rising and climate volatility increasing, proactive heat stress management is not optional, it is essential. By implementing a combination of environmental, nutritional and hydration-based strategies, producers can mitigate the worst effects of heat stress, enhance animal welfare and protect profitability. Supplementing with isotonic protein solutions, especially in early life, offers a rapid, practical step to support hydration and resilience during heat stress. When combined with long-term management practices, it helps build a more resilient, productive herd, prepared not just to survive heat stress, but to thrive in the face of it. About Mathieu Cortyl With over 30 years of experience in the global feed and feed additives industry, Mathieu Cortyl has had roles across Europe and the Asia-Pacific. He began in R&D at Pancosma (1991–1998), focusing on trials for pigs and cattle, then moved to a feed company in France as Swine Market Manager. In 2001, he relocated to Singapore, holding leadership roles at Biomin, Impextraco and Norel, overseeing production and regional management. From 2014 to 2016, he was Commercial Director for EMENA at Kemin, leading a 30-person team across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Since 2017, he has been with Tonisity International, where he held senior regional roles and board responsibilities before becoming CEO in late 2024.
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