2024-02-12 05:27:47
In times of high temperatures, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) recommends that all livestock producers in the country adopt preventive measures to minimize the effects of heat stress in animals.
Stress is an adaptive response, which allows animals to cope with environmental challenges, including changes in temperature. When optimal conditions are exceeded, the body tries to adapt to the new environmental situation. However, at higher ambient temperatures, adaptive mechanisms fail to eliminate the excess heat generated. (Read in WITHlivestock context: The effect of heat stress on cattle to produce meat)
Heat stress is the set of physiological and behavioral changes that are triggered in animals when they are subjected to environmental conditions that exceed their comfort temperature or thermoneutral zone and are unable to regulate their internal temperature..
In this situation, animals tend to:
Reduce physical activity.
Increase the respiratory rate.
Reduce food consumption.
Increase The consumption of water.
Look for sombra.
Increase panting and salivation.
In addition to its negative impact on animal welfare, heat stress can cause:
Decrease in feed consumption and feed efficiency.
Loss weight and body condition.
Deterioration performance and reproductive rates.
Increase of disease risk.
Increment of the mortality rate.
Factors specific to the animal – such as age, color and hair length – influence susceptibility to heat stress. Senasa remembers that the most affected animals are those that accumulate the highest level of body fat and that animals with black fur and in finishing stages are the most prone.
He type of diet also related to the risk of heat stroke. Grazing toxic pastures such as fescue or other pastures infected by ergoalkaloid-producing fungi, as well as the administration of high-calorie rations, increase the risk.
In beef cattle, provide Sufficient shade spaces for all cattle. Tree shade is one of the most effective, since it not only reduces radiation, but also produces lower air temperatures due to evaporation from the leaves. Where the provision of shade is artificial, it must allow air movement underneath (at a height of between 3 and 4 m). Each animal must have sufficient space (2 to 4 m²) to avoid overcrowding.
Provide fresh, clean and abundant water. Consider that an adult bovine consumes 7% of its live weight in water daily. Carry out a water analysis to determine the concentrations of salts and prevent the rejection of its consumption.
The drinkers They must be accessible and close to the animals. Control flow and pressure in periods of extreme heat and ensure sufficient space in the drinkers. Abrupt consumption of water, after periods of deprivation, can trigger intoxication with nervous signs. (Read in WITHlivestock context: With heat, livestock consume up to 60% more water)
Avoid stressful handling. When this is not possible, herd calmly, respecting the movement of the animals. Carry out the closures and sleeve work first thing in the morning or late in the evening. Provide water and some source of food in the pens where the animals remain. Check the weather forecast before scheduling farm operations. Plan all tasks and prepare the necessary materials to minimize their stay in pens and corrals.
Adapt the diet. It is convenient to know the level of infection with ergoalkaloid-producing fungi present in pastures. In free-range fattening, administer between 30 and 40% of the ration in the morning and the rest in the afternoon; and increase the percentage of fiber in the diet.
Cool the farm when high temperatures are expected. Either early in the morning or during the night, using a sufficient flow rate to penetrate the hair. If you get them wet during very hot hours and insufficiently, it can be counterproductive. The floor of the pens can also be wet, without making them muddy, to minimize indirect radiation.
Considering these measures will contribute to improving animal welfare and will result in benefits for the different actors in the livestock chains.
If you have any questions, consult the establishment’s veterinarian.
Complying with animal welfare is an advantage for all species.
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