In the summer, and all year long in tropical areas, sharp rise in high temperatures can cause heat stress resulting in poor performance in pig farming. In sows, this condition is manifested by a decline in feed intake, a lower fertility and decreased lactation performance. Sows are all the more sensitive to heat stress as their requirements are extremely high after farrowing. How can one help sows overcome the harmful impact of heat stress? Below is a number of provisions that can be put in place to counteract these potential negative effects.
Heat stress can have serious consequences on a sow because of this animal’s acute sensitivity to heat. When she is subject to high temperature variations, there comes a point when the sow is no longer able to regulate her interior body temperature. This condition does not only stem from high temperatures, but from the combination of temperature and humidity, and their ensuing effects on the animal condition. In sows, heat stress causes decreased feed intake and increased water intake.
|
|
![]() Effect of temperature on sow feed intake and piglet weaning weight (Source: Quiniou and Noblet, 1999) |
In pig farming, feeding strategies are an efficient method to limit the extent of heat stress on animals, particularly in sows. Therefore you can compensate for the decline in sows’ feed intake by reformulating their feed, as follows:
Many other elements should also be considered in order to reduce the impact of heat stress on a sow's metabolism. Make sure that the aforementioned measures are adjusted according to the size of the farm, the breeding season and the farm’s geographical location. Our experts are here to help you design feeding strategies that are tailored to each specific case. Please contact us if there is any way we can be of assistance!
Formulation tool for technical and economical optimisation of feed programs for pigs.