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HEAT STRESS IN SWINE: THE HIDDEN COST OF FEED INTAKE REDUCTION

With global temperatures rising, heat stress is no longer limited to tropical regions or to summer months. It is a growing concern for swine production worldwide, leading to significant annual losses—not only in euros, but in grams of feed your animals fail to consume. ​
Every gram lost means compromised overall performance.

Heat stress is more than a seasonal challenge;
it’s a hidden performance cost​

Lactating sow Fattening pig

STEP 1: ESTIMATED HEAT STRESS RISK

The risk of heat stress can be measured (and therefore anticipated) by calculating the temperature humidity index (THI), which combines temperature and humidity. The higher the THI score, the greater the risk.

Please enter a temperature between 0 and 40°C or between 32 and 104°F.

CALCULATE YOUR TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY INDEX

Your result

No Risk
Moderate Risk
Severe Risk
Very severe Risk

Result image

STEP 2: ESTIMATED FEED INTAKE REDUCTION

When environmental temperatures exceed the thermoneutral zone, pigs activate physiological mechanisms to dissipate heat. This adaptation comes at a price: reduced voluntary feed intake.

Please enter a temperature between 0 and 40°C or between 32 and 104°F.

CALCULATE THE EXPECTED FEED INTAKE REDUCTION UNDER HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS

Your result

  g/day*

This estimate of reduced feed intake assumes that sows / fattening pigs are exposed to this temperature throughout the day. A more accurate calculation can be made by determining the percentage of time that sows / fattening pigs spend at this temperature.

Consequences of heat stress in sow

-18,350 €/year

Estimated annual cost of heat stress in a 500-sow farm (Dr. Steve Pollmann, Vice-president of Smithfield Hog Production division, 2024)

Milk production​

Average litter weight gain​

Increased back fat loss and weight loss

Farrowing ​
rate

Consequences of heat stress in fattening pig

-1,000 €/year

Estimated feed cost for 200-fattening pig farm staying one week longer in fattening

Average feed intake

Fattening body weight

Fattening duration

Feed energy retention

Microbial Solutions To Pig Producers To Help Sows And Fattening Pigs Deal With Heat Stress

As a global leader in yeast and bacteria production, we have developed a multi-solution approach based on nutrition to help address the challenges of heat stress for sows, growing and fattening pigs.

Explore our solutions 

Practical case: Explore Heat Stress Risk Around the World​

We collected temperature data from farms around the world to show how much time pigs spend outside their comfort zone.

COMFORT ZONE

• Lactating sow: 15/20°C

• Fattening pig: 15/25°C (depending on the weight)

USE THE INTERACTIVE MAP TO EXPLORE SEASONAL VARIATIONS AND UNDERSTAND THE RISKS 
IN YOUR REGION

Contact us to get personalized advice 

Sources

  • Quiniou, Nathalie & Noblet, Jean. (1999). Influence of High Ambient Temperatures on Performance of Multiparous Lactating Sows. Journal of animal science. 77. 2124-34. 10.2527/1999.7782124x. ​
  • Quiniou, Nathalie & Dubois, Serge & Noblet, Jean. (2000). Voluntary feed intake and feeding behavior of grouphoused growing pigs are affected by ambient temperature and body weight. Livestock Production Science. 63. 245-253. 10.1016/S0301-6226(99)00135-9.​
  • https://climatbat.chambres-agriculture.fr/porcs/stress-thermique-porcin#c59799