ISSUE FOCUS 74 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2025 A NOVEL NUTRITIONAL SOLUTION TO MITIGATE HEAT STRESS IN DAIRY COWS Dr. Stephanie Ladirat R&D Director Nuqo Feed Additives “Traditional strategies for heat stress management often rely on physical cooling methods such as fans, misters, and shade structures. While these are important, they do not fully address the underlying biological disruptions caused by heat stress. This creates a critical opportunity for targeted nutritional interventions that support gut health, reduce inflammation, and promote efficient thermoregulation from within.” As global temperatures continue to rise, heat stress increasingly threatens the health, welfare, and productivity of dairy cows worldwide. Dairy farmers face significant economic losses during hot periods, as elevated temperatures disrupt normal physiological functions of cows, reducing feed intake, milk yield, and fertility. The need for innovative, practical, and effective nutritional solutions to combat heat stress has never been greater. Nuqo RED, a pioneering feed additive based on microencapsulated hybrid capsaicin, offers a scientifically proven strategy to mitigate heat stress effects and maintain animal performance. This article explores the challenges of heat stress in dairy production, the cutting-edge technology behind Nuqo RED, and results from a large-scale trial conducted under severe heat conditions in Mexico. HEAT STRESS: A GROWING CHALLENGE FOR DAIRY COWS AND FARMERS Heat stress occurs when cows experience environmental temperatures and humidity levels that exceed their thermoregulatory capacity, creating physiological distress. Unlike other species, dairy cows are particularly vulnerable due to their high metabolic heat production related to milk synthesis. Heat stress triggers a cascade of physiological responses including elevated respiration rate, altered blood flow, hormonal imbalances, and activation of systemic inflammatory pathways. One of the most immediate consequences of heat stress is a marked reduction in dry matter intake (DMI). When cows eat less, the supply of energy and nutrients required for milk production drops. This leads directly to reduced milk yield and poorer body condition. Moreover, heat stress impairs reproductive performance by disrupting estrous cycles and lowering conception rates, further impacting farm profitability. From a metabolic perspective, heat stress increases inflammatory mediators, which damage the gut lining and reduce nutrient absorption efficiency. This inflammation also heightens oxidative stress, exacerbating tissue damage and further compromising health. Taken together, these effects translate into decreased productivity, higher veterinary costs, and increased culling rates.
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