Abstract

Heat stress poses a significant challenge to ruminant livestock production because it affects feed intake, milk yield, reproductive performance, and overall health. This review explores the relationship between production performance and heat stress response in ruminants using feed additives. Heat stress leads to physiological and behavioral changes that compromise productivity. To mitigate these effects, the study reported that various feed additives are currently being employed as feed additives. These additives are beneficial because they enhance feed efficiency, antioxidant capacity, gut health, and nutrient absorption, thereby improving the animals' resilience to heat stress. Despite these advancements, the effectiveness of feed additives can vary depending on specific conditions and the needs of the animals. This study concluded that it is important to continue research that could optimize feed additive use and develop sustainable strategies to counteract the negative effect of heat stress in ruminant animals. This is because relying on such scientific evidence, livestock production performance ensures animal welfare and profitability can be enhanced in the face of climate change. This strategic use of feed additives offers a potentially viable solution to increase the sustainability and resilience of ruminant production systems, promoting a balance between productivity and environmental stewardship.