Trouw Nutrition leads EU-funded HEATGUARD project targeting heat stress in sow production
- Global innovation
Trouw Nutrition is leading HEATGUARD, a €1M, three-year project helping tackle the problems that heat stress poses on sow farms around the globe. Funded by the EU and initiated by Trouw Nutrition, the project is a collaborative effort involving project partners Hendrix Genetics Swine and Lintjeshof veterinary practice, along with research contractor Wageningen University.
Understanding Heat Stress in Modern Sow Production
Heat stress is no longer a problem restricted to warm or tropical regions. More frequent and prolonged periods of high temperatures are making heat stress a concern on sow farms worldwide. Sows’ high metabolic rate contributes to increased heat production which makes these animals more prone to heat stress than many other species.
Heat stress can be particularly challenging in the post-farrowing days. Lactating sows often have a steep reduction in feed intake at the same time their demand for nutrients increases. Heat stress can exacerbate this challenge. Temperatures above the sow’s thermal neutral range (about 22°C) can lead to health and welfare issues adversely affecting animals’ intestinal integrity, reproductive physiology, and longevity.
About HEATGUARD project in sow
HEATGUARD research conducted by Trouw Nutrition is building on earlier studies showing how heat stress affects pig's nutritional needs. In addition, previous research has shown that sows’ higher respiration rates, also observed under heat stress, may contribute to respiratory alkalosis and may necessitate a change in protein requirements. Additional research is needed to understand how heat stress may affect liver and kidney health as well as metabolic processes.
In this project, Phenotyping studies conducted in the respiration chamber off Wageningen University are exploring how sows react to heat stress under different conditions and the metabolic pathways that are affected. Hendrix Genetics Swine is study in the differences observed in different genotypes exposed to heat stress. HEATGUARD research is also helping Trouw Nutrition to develop enhanced digital modelling capabilities to support decisions on the swine farm.
The three-year project includes studies carried out in research centre environments and validation studies on commercial farms in collaboration with Lintjeshof. Findings from the collaborative effort will help advance understanding of sow’s health and performance under heat stress, support animal welfare; and contribute to swine farmers’ sustainability efforts; all of which advance Trouw Nutrition’s mission of feeding the future.
