CCPA Group recommends Thermo® solutions to breeders and production organizations in dealing with summers that are unpredictable and polymorphic, growing expectations for animal welfare, a tense economic context, etc.
CCPA Group, a French company that specialises in the field of animal nutrition and health, reminds in a press release that the summer of 2023 ranks as the 4th hottest summer on record. It was also very wet, keeping measured heat stress high over a long period. The company has recommended Thermo® solutions as a way to combat the effects of the summer.
Although THI (Temperature and Humidity Index) values in July and August were broadly in line with previous years (or even lower in some countries, such as France), longer periods of heat stress were observed before and after these two months, particularly in June, September and October.
Guillaume Piquet, Monogastric Product Manager, comments: “By using Thermo® nutritional solutions in feed, we can ensure continuous support for animals, and anticipate these changes in the summer season by simply extending the distribution period. In addition, we propose a complementary solution to be used in water for poultry. It provides specific support for animals during short and severe heatstroke. A similar product concept for pig production will be tested on the field this summer.”
MEET EXPECTATIONS FOR THERMAL COMFORT AND SUPPORT ANIMAL PERFORMANCE
“Thermoplus® solution for ruminants and Thermo Control® solution for pigs have a direct effect on body temperature, contributing to improved animal well-being,” stresses Jean Pascard, Ruminant Product Manager. “Thanks to our scientific partnerships, these effects have been the subject of publications at EAAP 2023 and ALPA 2023 for Thermoplus® and Thermo® Control respectively.”
Bird physiology is different, and it is not possible to act on body temperature regulation, CCPA states. Feedstim® Poultry acts on the consequences of stress generated by periods of high temperature and humidity, according to the company.
“By incorporating these nutritional solutions into feed, it is possible to reduce the drop in performance induced by heat stress. For all the species concerned, the expected return on investment is 3:1, and can rise to much higher levels depending on rearing conditions. This is an important criteria in the current economic context,” adds Pascard. “These nutritional solutions are part of a global approach to heat stress management, which must be combined with breeding and building management measures, among others”.
To support farmers and technicians in this approach, CCPA unveiled that it offers digital tools, including Thermotool for a rapid estimation of THI and its evolution over 5 days, to anticipate risky periods and evaluate corrective measures.
