Cows standing, panting, seeking the slightest air current: all characteristic signs of heat stress, a phenomenon that impairs production, health, and welfare. With climate change, the number of risk days is increasing significantly. Stress depends on temperature, but also on humidity: the higher it is, the greater the risk. The THI – Temperature Humidity Index – allows easy assessment of these risk levels.
Ruminants are particularly sensitive to heat stress. Through ruminal fermentation, they produce a significant amount of heat themselves, which they struggle to dissipate. When temperatures rise, the entire metabolism is disrupted: reduced feed intake, altered blood pH linked to increased respiratory rate, mineral losses due to sweating, and oxidative stress increasing inflammation. The consequences are clear: decreased production, drop in levels, reproductive disorders, and weakened immunity.
Beyond management adaptations (improved ventilation, available and accessible water, feed distribution during cooler hours), the ration must be adjusted during hot periods.
The Chorus® rationing software integrates THI forecasts to automatically adapt rations according to the expected stress intensity. The objective is to compensate for reduced feed intake and additional requirements related to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Several nutritional strategies can be implemented to adapt the ration during heat stress periods:
Increased energy density.
Addition of non-acidogenic fats to limit the risk of acidosis.
Adjustment of mineral intake (Na, K) to compensate for sweat losses.
Additional sodium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate supplementation.
To support animals, CCPA Group has developed Thermoplus, a solution based on plant-derived ingredients from its phyto-expertise. This complex helps to:
Limit reduced feed intake and support performance.
Improve thermal comfort (body temperature, rumination, lying time).
Improve farm profitability.
A patented process produces a plant extract complex that is less irritating, with optimal release of active ingredients for enhanced efficacy. Trials show on average: +1.7 kg of milk/cow/day and +13% pregnancy rate. Other trials on fattening bulls and dairy ewes confirm performance support.
Animals are better protected when measures are anticipated, particularly by introducing Thermoplus at the first signs of heat stress.
The Thermoplan tool analyzes five years of weather data to identify risk periods specific to each farm.
In addition, the Thermotool application provides geolocated THI forecasts over five days, based on the nearest weather stations. It allows:
Anticipate heat waves through alerts.
Estimate the economic impacts of heat stress.
Integrate a THI sensor directly measuring stress in the building.
Support your animals during periods of heat stress.
Measure and assess the impact of heat stress on your animals.