Due to global warming, temperatures around the world are fluctuating to extremes (extreme heat, extreme cold). This can be quite challenging and threatening to animals as well as humans. High temperatures can negatively affect animals’ metabolism and increase their energy consumption, affect the immune system and make them more susceptible to infections and diseases, increase oxidative stress and cause cell damage, and all of which can impair their overall health and reduce their productivity.
Farmers are already producing in challenging environments due to food security and sustainability concerns, but now they have to combat the effects of high temperatures in the summer. But there are ways to protect the health, welfare and performance of animals during periods of heat stress. For example, providing appropriate shade, using cooling systems and increasing water consumption, etc.
However, according to experts, good heat stress management also requires proper regulation of the animals’ diets and ration content. Adapting nutrient density according to need, balancing protein intake, regulating feeding times and so on. The use of feed additives is also an important nutritional element that can help animals cope with heat stress. For example, some vitamin and mineral supplements are known to help animals regulate body temperature and optimize metabolic processes. Thus, additives such as probiotics and prebiotics can reduce the negative effects of heat stress by improving animals’ gut health and strengthening the immune system.
In conclusion, heat stress poses a serious threat to the health and productivity of farm animals. However, with the right management practices and the use of feed additives, this risk can be minimized. Keep reading our June issue to learn more and discover ways to combat heat stress! Experts in the animal nutrition industry have discussed this month’s main focus, ‘heat stress’, and offered some solutions on how to deal with heat stress in animal farming.
Enjoy your reading!
Hope to see you in the next issue…
