Minimizing Stress in Livestock
Nov 01, 2024
By: Carter Jensen, Livestock Nutrition Advisor
Importance of Minimizing Stress - Minimizing stress in livestock is crucial for all species. When animals experience stress, their bodies prioritize survival, diverting energy away from non-essential functions. This can impact processes such as maintaining early pregnancies, cycling on schedule, and producing high-quality sperm. For livestock raised for meat production, stress leads to reduced weight gain because animals may consume less feed and expend more energy on survival. Additionally, stress weakens the immune response, which can result in complications during pregnancy, decreased growth rates, and higher susceptibility to disease—all of which can incur significant costs for producers over time.
Management Practices - Various management practices can reduce stress in livestock. For instance, providing adequate shelter during extreme temperatures—whether it’s shade during hot summers or windbreaks in cold winters—is essential. Ensuring clean loading and chute spaces can prevent slips and falls. It’s also important to create these space so animals cannot see people in their flight zone, as this can heighten their anxiety. Noise management is another key factor; sounds from yelling or squeaky equipment can further stress the animals.
Nutrition - Proper nutrition can help mitigate stress. Here are a few products that can be beneficial:
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Zinpro Availa 4: This feed ingredient contains organic zinc, manganese, copper, and cobalt. These trace minerals are vital for various physiological functions, and a proper balance can enhance an animal's ability to cope with stress.
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Diamond V XPC: A natural immune health postbiotic, this product comprises hundreds of bioactive compounds that work synergistically to support health and performance. Healthier animals are generally better equipped to handle stressors.
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Capsaicin: Found in chili peppers, capsaicin can help manage heat stress by interacting with heat-sensing receptors to prevent metabolic changes. It has also been shown to alleviate intestinal oxidative stress caused by heat, increasing antioxidant enzymes and reducing reactive oxygen species.