Cows loose their appetite due to heat stress. There are sever- al ways to coun- teract this.
PHOTO: VLADISLAV VOROTNIKOV
Mitigating the impact of heat stress Physical cooling is considered the most effective way of combating heat stress in Russia. “It is impossible to mitigate the impact of the heat stress on the organism by any chemical means. Some producers claim that their products can help reduce body temperature. Some people do believe that cows could cool down by eating particular herbs. Why do they believe this? Nobody knows! There is a lot of speculation in this field, but it is important to understand that these solutions have no evidential ground,” Barnev says. The main problem is that there are many of these types of products without proven properties on the Russian market, commented a spokesperson for the Russian livestock company who wished not to be named. “In most cases, [Russian] compa- nies are using feed additives that combat heat stress as a sec- ondary feature. There is a lot of misinformation on the market when local suppliers of vitamins, amino acids, probiotics, and phytogenics claim their products, alongside other benefits, could tackle heat stress. This is very confusing and may lead to a situation where a farmer is sure that at his facility, this issue is already addressed, while actually it hasn’t,” the source adds.
Higher demand for organic acids However, the increasing awareness about heat stress is be- lieved to push the demand, for some type of feed additives, up in Russia. “Almost all poultry producers choose between or using both organic acids, like lactic, propionic, citric, formic, etc., and non-organic drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen administering them through drinking sys- tems. The most popular combined concentrate is Clim Ther- mo, produced in Russia, which contains sаlicylic, malonic and
58 ▶ HEAT STRESS | MAY 2021
amber acids, potassium hydrocitrate, sodium dihydrogen cit- rate, and potassium hydromalonate,” Davleyev says. “The problem of heat stress is relevant, especially in the south. Companies who sell feed additives based on organic acids emphasise that organic acids added to the digestion system not only protect against pathogenic microflora but also protect against heat stress,” comments Lyubov Burdien- ko, commercial director of the Russian consulting agency EMEAT. “Recently, betaine has been used seasonally to com- bat heat stress. Betaine has two essential functions in the ani- mal’s body: an osmoprotectant and a donor of methyl groups in the process of transmethylation. Betaine helps maintain cellular hydration. Betaine hydrochloride is usually used be- cause economically, this is the most justified,” Burdienko says.
Struggling against climate change Russian experts suggested that the country could embark on some measures in the agricultural field aimed at curbing global warming in order to protect livestock producers from more significant problems associated with heat stress in the future. “Unlike countries with more land use, Russia can take preventive measures in anticipation of further warming. Agricultural land in the northern regions, which for one reason or another is not used now, can be preserved for possible involvement in operation later. On poor soils, forests can be restored. Forests and parks mitigate the effects of heat in the surrounding area,” says Dalnov. “The restoration of green areas can favourably distinguish our country from other leading exporters of agricultural products, which often continue to cut trees to increase food production in areas freed from forests,” Dalnov concludes.
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