Active Temp Control (ATC)
It is very well documented that heat stress lowers (re)productive efficiency and health status in farm animals to a large extent. The thermoneutral zone is the range of temperature where no additional energy is needed to maintain the core body temperature. For a veterinarian a perfect environment occurs when the core body temperature remains normal and stable because deviations will cause loss of immunity and lead to disease incidence. For an animal nutritionist on the other hand, the perfect comfort environment maximizes weight gain or egg/milk production with the least expenditure of nutrients. This makes it even more important to optimize managerial and nutritional parameters to minimize the effects of heat stress as much as possible.
Introduction
It is very well documented that heat stress lowers (re)productive efficiency and health status in farm animals to a large extent. The thermoneutral zone is the range of temperature where no additional energy is needed to maintain the core body temperature. For a veterinarian a perfect environment occurs when the core body temperature remains normal and stable because deviations will cause loss of immunity and lead to disease incidence. For an animal nutritionist on the other hand, the perfect comfort environment maximizes weight gain or egg/milk production with the least expenditure of nutrients. This makes it even more important to optimize managerial and nutritional parameters to minimize the effects of heat stress as much as possible.
General management tips & tricks
Water
With the newly developed multispecies concept, Active Temp Control (ATC), Nuscience focusses on targeted heat management in all species. The concept combines heat stress management advice and nutritional expertise for each specie. Specific designed and extensively tested products are focusing on improved feed intake, maintaining a correct electrolyte balance and an optimal gut protection. By this way the ATC concept contributes to a profitable, sustainable livestock production for future generations.
Dehydration is the biggest enemy! In hot periods animals will increase their water intake. Therefore it is important to provide adequate water quantity and quality. If possible provide extra drinking spots with a high throughput and try to get the water as cool as possible as this can help the animals to keep their internal body temperature within normal limits.
Ventilation
A good working ventilation system is essential: use the lower temperatures during the night to cool down the inside of the stables. In regions with long hot summers cool cells can be an economically investment. Also water sprinklers can be an economically sound investment but should be used correctly, and monitored intensively together with the ventilation.
Stocking density
Avoid overcrowding at all times! At high stocking densities the heat produced by the animals cannot be removed effectively by the ventilation system. As a consequence animals can suffer from heat stress even under moderate climatic conditions.
Translocation
If possible, avoid translocation of animals for whatever reason at the hottest times of the day. Moving animals is always a stressful activity and in hot conditions it can have adverse effects.
Feeding moments
Operate feeders earlier in the morning and later in the evening. Feed consumption should be encouraged during the hours before sunrise and after sunset, the coolest parts of the day. For some animal species it’s advised to give more but smaller portions of fresh feed per day.
Nutritional measures
For each animal species in particular there are extra specific tools available to adapt the diet (fat content, protein level, crude fiber level, digestibility, electrolytes, …).
Claims associated with products may be different based on government requirements. Certain statements may also not be applicable in all regions.