Abstract
The objective with this study was to estimate the voluntary feed intake (VFI) of sows during the occurrence of heat waves in the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba mesoregion, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) database was used to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI) from 2008 to 2017 for Araxá, Frutal, Ituiutaba, Patos de Minas, Patrocínio, Uberaba, and Uberlândia, and the estimated VFI with and without effective occurrence of heat waves (EOH). An economic estimation of [...]
Highlights
The pork production chain in Brazil began to develop during the 1980s and 1990s due to the technological evolution and dissemination of production information (ABCS, 2016)
Minas Gerais has the fourth largest swine herd in the country with 5.2 million animals, and 37% is located in the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba mesoregion (IBGE, 2017)
temperature-humidity index (THI) recorded over the last ten years was in the risk category but did not last for more than five days out of a total of 3653 days (Table 1)
Summary
The pork production chain in Brazil began to develop during the 1980s and 1990s due to the technological evolution and dissemination of production information (ABCS, 2016). Minas Gerais has the fourth largest swine herd in the country with 5.2 million animals, and 37% is located in the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba mesoregion (IBGE, 2017). In 2017, 504.9 thousand sows were housed, 5.4 million swine were slaughtered, and 464 thousand tons of pork were produced in Minas. In a hot environment, such as the Triângulo Mineiro region, heat stress can be a limiting factor for swine production. These animals do not have functioning sweat glands, so an increased respiratory rate is the main way that swine lose heat in hot environments (ABCS, 2014). When exposed to temperatures over °C, there is a notable decrease in feed intake, lower milk production, reduced body mass gain, and a reduction in piglet growth (Quiniou and Noblet, 1999; Cabezón et al, 2017). Williams et al (2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
