AGCO’s Automated Production offers easy ways for farms to stop pigs from suffering from heat stress.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com
With the extremely hot weather occurring right now throughout much of the US and parts of Canada, proper temperature control and ventilation are essential in swine barns to help protect animals from heat stress that can compromise their health and performance.
Heat stress directly impacts pigs’ daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency and can lead to poor growth rates, reduced milk production, and impaired fertility.
It can also weaken hogs’ immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases.
Signs of heat stress include panting, reduced feed intake, and increased water consumption.
Dwight Naber, District Sales Manager for AP (Automated Production), AGCO Grain & Protein’s swine production equipment brand—a key business unit of AGCO—recommended these steps to help provide an optimal hog environment during hot weather:
- Make sure tunnel fans are turned on during hot temperatures.
- Clean the tunnel fan shutters and inspect the fan housing and cone. Dirty shutters, cracks, and defects in the fan housing and cone can negatively impact the ability of the fans to move high volumes of air.
- Check for loose or worn fan belts and replace them if necessary.
- Ensure your tunnel curtains open properly.
- Clean and inspect your cooling system to make sure it is functioning properly.
Naber added that technology—such as controllers—helps to create and maintain the ideal hog environment. With the right technology, producers can conveniently monitor multiple barns as well as notice changes in the barn environment, increased water consumption, and a decrease in feed intake.
AGCO Grain & Protein is represented by five umbrella brands: Cimbria, GSI, Automated Production (AP), Cumberland, and Tecno, each of which provides a complete solution in the market it serves.
For additional information, hog producers should contact their dealers or visit www.automatedproduction.com.