Heat stress has been proven to limit productivity of pig units, and with temperatures rising in the UK, experts say there are significant gains to be had by making simple changes to both the environment and nutrition.
Speaking at a recent webinar, Mark McFarland, feed additive product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explained that while being a well-known issue in tropical climates, heat stress in pigs is often overlooked in the UK and Ireland, but with recent summers recording record temperatures it is an issue that must be addressed.
Heat stress can have a significant impact on all ages of pigs with research showing that pigs start to show signs of heat stress from as low as 17-18°C.
Mr McFarland explained that of the most important impacts is a change in feeding behaviour, which has a significant knock-on effect for performance and can cause severe health problems. He said: “By paying close attention to the pig’s nutrition and environment, heat stress can be effectively managed.
“As we’re beginning to experience sustained levels of heat, producers should start preparations to prevent heat stress before peak summer arrives. Managing the environment of pigs, combined with diet supplementation in feed, will help ensure that you are one step ahead when sustained high temperatures come along.”
Andrew Palmer, pork knowledge exchange manager at AHDB, explained that when production dips are compared to weather incidences, there can be a clear correlation. He advised: “Making small changes, like painting arcs with white reflective paint and by carrying out a full spring MOT on vents, back doors of arcs, and pig sheds, producers can help to prevent production dips caused by heat stress.”
David Saornil, swine product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, said that nutrition is another key area which should be considered when tackling heat stress, saying that prevention is better than a cure: “We’ve seen fantastic results in maintaining feed intakes when pigs have been given probiotic supplementation in their diet, mainly in their ability to adapt their eating behaviour to the heat stress conditions.
“We have found that when using the specific probiotic live yeast, S. c. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (Levucell SB, Lallemand Animal Nutrition), normal feeding behaviour, feed intake and growth in fattening pigs, can all be maintained during a significant heat stress period.
“We’ve also had plenty of field experience using the probiotic to ensure sow performance under heat stress, with improved piglet growth during lactation and at weaning.”
He added that it is not just about what is in the feed but also when the pig consumes it: “It’s far better to feed sows during the cooler periods of the day as they will be more likely to consume food. Producers could also feed sows smaller portions regularly throughout the day, as this can help limit a decrease in feed consumption.”
