Successfully coping with heat stress in beef cattle

Heat stress negatively impacts beef cattle sector

Cattle are homeotherms and they need to maintain their body temperature within a physiological range. Heat stress is primarily the result of elevated air temperature and can be intensified by high humidity, thermal radiation, and low air movement. As a result, animal physiology and behaviours are disturbed. Hence, cattle suffer from heat stress with a negative impact on both welfare and performance.

New ways to beat the current heat stress challenge

Beef producers are seeking ways to alleviate some of the negative effects associated with heat stress. The first way is through shade and access/availability to water. Shade could be very useful, but this is a cost-effective investment. That’s why, within the US, there are few other options to alleviate heat stress; therefore, cattle feeders are looking for other viable options that may also enhance performance and health.

Nutritional solutions are known to alleviate the negative effects while improving the welfare and performance of so many animal species during heat stress conditions.

Yeast solutions can improve welfare and performance

A recent scientific trial was performed in USDA-ARS Bovine Immunology Research and Development Complex in New Deal (Texas, USA) involving 32 beef heifers. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of supplementing feedlots receiving beef heifers with the combination of the yeast probiotic Actisaf Sc 47 and yeast postbiotic Safmannan on their performance under moderate to severe heat stress conditions (peak of THI≈80).

Beef heifers were divided into 2 groups of 16 individuals each: a control group and a supplemented Actisaf Sc 47 (1.5 g/h/d) and Safmannan (2.5 g/h/d) group. Heifers had ad libitum access to fresh water (on-demand paddle water system).

After 50 d of supplementation, heifers were weighed, and their vaginal temperature was recorded during the study period. Heifers were allowed to acclimate to the facility for a 48-h period (d 1–2) in a thermoneutral (TN) climate (THI=67). On d 3–6, the THI of the building was gradually increased beginning at 08:00 h in a manner to reach a peak THI of 80 each day at 16:00 h. The THI was subsequently decreased beginning at 18:00 h in a manner to reach the minimum THI of 76 at 24:00 h. The THI pattern aimed to keep the heifers in the moderate to severe heat stress category that mimics environmental conditions often seen in summer months when temperatures do not decrease drastically after sunset.

Results confirmed that the combination of the yeast probiotic Actisaf Sc 47 and the yeast postbiotic Safmannan, can counteract some of the negative effects on performance and animal welfare during heat stress. Results have shown that yeast solutions reduced vaginal temperature (Figure 1), respiratory rate (-8%), and cortisol levels (stress hormone) (-9%), while water intake and frequency of drinking bouts were significantly increased by 15% and 25%, respectively. These results are important indicators of animal welfare, reflecting better thermoregulation and improved comfort which positively correlated with the improvement of body weight and performance (Figure 2).

Figure 1- Effect of yeast solutions on vaginal temperature (VT).

Figure 2-Effect of yeast solutions on animal welfare and performance indicators.

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Yeast solutions mitigate the negative impact of heat stress

This study demonstrated that the supplementation of heifers with the combination of the yeast probiotic Actisaf Sc 47 and the yeast postbiotic Safmannan had decreased body temperature, respiration rate, and cortisol, and had increased water intake. Those indicators explain the improvement of body weight and the reduced stress in this supplemented group. These data suggest that yeast solutions should mitigate the negative impact of heat stress while improving animal welfare and performance for a sustainable beef sector.

References are available on request