Mitigating heat stress in swine production 

As global warming rises, temperature variations are becoming more intense and frequent, impacting animal health and productivity. 

  • Heat stress reduces pig feed intake, impacting growth, immunity, and overall performance.
  • Managing heat stress is crucial to prevent intestinal permeability, oxidative stress, and related health issues. 
✅ Link copied to clipboard!
Looking for more information?

You can contact us to get more information on this challenge

Consequences of high temperatures on pig feed intake

Global warming has led to higher temperatures and greater temperature fluctuations, making it difficult for farms to maintain a comfortable and stable environment for animals.

Heat stress particularly affects swine due to their limited number of sweat glands. As a result, pigs are unable to effectively regulate their body temperature, leading to discomfort. When temperatures rise, pigs instinctively reduce their feed intake to minimize the heat generated by digestion. This decrease in feed consumption can lead to a range of negative consequences, including slower growth rates and weakened immune function. 

2-piglets-looking-at-the-camera

Physiological mechanisms affected by heat stress

Reduced feed intake limits the supply of essential nutrients like selenium and vitamin E, crucial for antioxidant function. This deficiency worsens with heat stress, which increases intestinal permeability and heightens oxidative stress, compromising nutrient digestion and absorption. Additionally, heat stress leads to electrolyte imbalances and affects fat mobilization from adipose tissue.

These factors reduce weight gain, increase mortality, and lower carcass quality, making heat stress management essential. 

Picture with 1 pig face behind a barrier under the sun

Key figures

36%

A 36% reduction in lactating sows feed intake occurs when the temperature rises from 22°C to 32°C.

20%

Milk production is reduced by 20% when the temperature rises from 22°C to 32°C.

9%

9% reduction in ADG and 12% reduction in FI were observed in finishing pigs exposed to temperature between 29°C to 35°C.

decoration

Related solutions

Product names and availability may vary by region, please contact your local Adisseo representative for more information.

Selisseo®
Selisseo® contains 100% hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet), a pure and highly available form of organic selenium that helps animals fight oxidative stress.
See more
PoultrySwineRuminantsAquaculture
Separator
Rhodimet® AT88
Rhodimet® AT88 is a hydroxy-methionine in liquid form, with a concentration of 88%. This source of methionine has various benefits for every decision maker in the feed mill.
See more
PoultrySwineAquaculture
Separator
Microvit® A Supra 1000
Microvit® A Supra 1000 is a vitamin A source, Composed by: 1,000,000 IU of retinyl /gram (95% in all trans retinyl acetate form).
See more
PoultrySwineRuminantsAquaculture
Separator
Microvit® E Promix 50
Microvit® E Promix 50 is a vitamin E source. Composed by 500,000 IU of tocopherol (vitamin E) / gram (100% in all tocopheryl acetate form).
See more
PoultrySwineRuminantsAquaculture
Separator
Krave AP
Unique product for sows proven to stimulate feed intake during lactation.
See more
Swine
Separator

Helpful resources

Top line
Effect of methionine sources and inclusion level on performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs reared under hot climate conditions
Effect of methionine sources and inclusion level on performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs reared under hot climate conditions
Tag Separator
Technical article
Top line
Milk production and litter performance sustained during hot waves
Milk production and litter performance sustained during hot waves
Tag Separator
Technical article

Why choose our solutions?

Adisseo’s swine solutions are developed with a science-based approach to help manage heat stress, particularly during periods of significant temperature variation.
Our nutritional strategies address two key challenges associated with thermal stress.

  • First, Krave®, our palatability solution for sows, helps maintain feed intake in farrowing environments where sow comfort is often compromised due to differing thermal needs between sows and piglets. For piglets and growing pigs, Optisweet® and Delistart® encourage early feed intake, which is especially important under heat stress conditions.
  • Second, elevated temperatures can affect animal metabolism and lead to oxidative challenges. Selisseo®, a selenium-based nutritional source, contributes to supporting the animal’s natural antioxidant defenses, while Adimix® Precision is designed to help maintain gut barrier integrity during periods of heat stress.
     

Adisseo combines innovative nutritional tools with technical expertise to support producers in maintaining swine resilience and performance, even in challenging environments.

Contact us to learn more about our tailored solutions for heat stress management.

Other swine challenges you may face

Weaning stress

separator
Challenge Icon

Weaning in pigs is a stressful event, triggering social, physiological, and immune challenges that impact health, feed intake, and growth. Despite advancements in management, it remains one of the most stressful periods in a pig’s life, lea...

SwineSeparator

Reproductive Performance

separator
Challenge Icon

Adisseo have focused on improving the reproductive performance of sows by delivering targeted solutions. These solutions address specific challenges encountered during gestation and lactation :Sow reproductive performance is impacted by fac...

SwineSeparator

Feed Cost

separator
Challenge Icon

Reducing feed expenses while sustaining optimal animal performance is essential for profitability.Feed costs account for 60-70% of production expenses.Improved digestibility boosts nutrient absorption and feed efficiency.

SwineSeparator

Overall Digestibility

separator
Challenge Icon

Improving feed digestibility is essential for swine producers because it enhances animal performance and overall health.Better feed digestibility boosts swine growth, health, and feed efficiency.Antinutritional factors reduce nutrient absor...

SwineSeparator

Diseases prevention

separator
Challenge Icon

Even with advancements in biosecurity and production management, sanitary pressures continue to pose a major challenge in swine production. Nutritional solutions play a crucial role in enhancing resilience by supporting immune function and ...

SwineSeparator

I want to know more about heat stress in swine

* required fields
Please select

The information collected in this form is transmitted to the appropriate Adisseo department to manage your comments and requests for information on the site. For more information, please refer to the information notice.

Contact us
Adisseo
© 2025 Adisseo.

You are in Europe region