Temperatures in the summer months in the U.S. can be hot enough to exceed an animal’s thermoneutral comfort zone (table 1) and negatively impact pigs at all stages of production.

Pigs suffer from three main issues during the hot summer months – heat stress, heatstroke, and sunburn. Here, we will look at how to prevent, diagnose, and treat each of these potentially dangerous conditions.

Heat stress is a global issue constraining animal agriculture productivity, negatively affects welfare, and reduces production efficiency in many countries. The effects of heat stress on pig production will intensify, if climate change continues as predicted.

Pigs are much more sensitive to heat than other animals so during periods of hot weather it is important to look at ways to reduce heat stress. This page contains a warning from an American study and outlines what steps you can take to minimise heat stress in pigs.

Heat stress begins to affect sows, boars and finishing pigs at about 70 degrees F. If temperatures remain above 80 degrees F for more than two to four days, decreases in performance and reproductive efficiency can result if cooling relief isn’t available.

Oct 30, 2024 · Heat stroke in pigs is characterised by increased respiratory rate, lethargy, reduced appetite, excessive water consumption, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, seizures and death. Pigs are susceptible to heat stress and heat stroke due to several physiological limitations. Unlike most other animals, pigs do not sweat.

May 23, 2013 · Advice of optimising heat detection in sows and gilt from BPEX in no. 29 in its 'Action for Prodictivity' series. Accurate heat detection is essential for the correct timing of …

Jul 5, 2012 · Identifying the signs of stress in pigs during periods of hot weather will aid in making proactive adjustments to management and handling practices. As summer temperatures soar it is important to keep in mind that pigs can be vulnerable to heat stress.

Jul 20, 2021 · With high temperatures and ever-increasing issue for UK pig producers, Primary Diets’ Dr Phil Boyd looks at what producers can do to mitigate against the challenge. Temperature is recognised as the single most important environmental factor affecting pork production efficiency globally.

Heat stress can take a serious toll on pig performance, especially in breeding herds and finishing pigs. Wide fluctuations in temperature are often immensely stressful, resulting in reduced performance, health problems and economic loss. Pigs exhibit heat stress in many ways, and the impact can be seen in both the short and long term.