Impact of environmental temperature on production traits in pigs

Abstract

AbstractThere is an urgent need to identify the effects of temperature on production traits. This study aimed to determine the impact of pig production in three environments (T°Cgrowing-°Cfattening-°Cfinishing = T24-24-21, T19-19-19, and T23-17-15) on growth curve parameters, body weight gain (DBWG), feed intake (DFI), and feed efficiency during the growing, fattening and finishing stages, and on carcass yield of primal cuts (ham, shoulder, and loin) in 158 Duroc × Iberian pigs. Maturation rate was higher in T23-17-15 than in T19-19-19 (P < 0.001). Pigs in T23-17-15 reached a lower mature body weight (P < 0.05). During the growing stage, pigs in T23-17-15 had higher DFI than those in T24-24-21 and T19-19-19 (P < 0.05); during the fattening stage, DFI was lowest in T24-24-21 (P < 0.001). In the growing stage, pigs had highest DBWG in the warmest environments (T24-24-21 and T23-17-15) and lowest in the coldest environment (T19-19-19; P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was highest in warmer environments (P < 0.01). Temperature T24-24-21 favored loin yield, T19-19-19 favored ham yield, and T23-17-15 favored shoulder yield (P < 0.01). The results imply a favorable effect of temperature on feed efficiency, however, possible negative implications for animal health and welfare should be considered.