192 Engineering Strategies and Solutions to Improve Swine Resilience and Alleviate Physiological Stress in a Changing Climate. (12th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramirez, Brett C
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 100(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2022-04-12
• Subjects: cooling -- environmental control -- ventilation; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac064.147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Heat stress negatively affects a variety of production parameters in the swine industry including growth, carcass composition, and reproduction. The combination of climate forecasts and improved genetic performance, indicate increasingly negative impacts of heat stress for the future. Therefore, future heat stress mitigation approaches will need engineered solutions that also consider expected economic risk and corresponding uncertainty. Physically modifying the environment is currently the best approach by utilizing the heat dissipation (albeit, poor) mechanisms of the pig, that is, via the 4 modes of heat transfer, conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. A temperature gradient for sensible or vapor pressure gradient for latent heat loss are needed to drive heat exchange. Strategies can then be grouped into (a) modifying the thermodynamic properties of the incoming air via the ventilation system; (b) building characteristics or features; (c) animal zone environment modification; and (d) changes in management. Examples of each strategy include (a) evaporative cooling pads, earth-air-heat exchanger; (b) insulation, spatial orientation; (c) fogging, cooling the drinking water, increasing air velocity; and (d) stocking density. Engineering of future controlled swine environments will need enhanced modeling of heat transfer between pigs and their environment, advanced design/analysis methods of environmental control, and creation of innovative technology that improves sensing, controlling, and modifying the environment. Much of the engineering process starts with and relies on established standards that describe key analytical methods for design, data to enable design computations, and criteria/goals for different environments. There is and will continue to be a need for consistent updates to these data to ensure modern intensive housing is able to provide the proper thermoneutral zone, ventilation rates, etc. for prolific pigs in a changing climate.