Document type: best practices guide published by theIFIP
Authors: Yvonnick Rousselière, Nathalie Quiniou, Sylviane Boulot, Alexia Aubry
Preview: Following successive heat waves that have impacted the swine industry across all regions, the IFIP has compiled recommendations from its existing publications to offer a comprehensive, practical, and easily accessible online guide, thereby helping to better prevent such events by adapting swine farming practices to climate change (available for free download). Table of contents:
1 – BEFORE HEAT WAVES: ENSURE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS
– Check that the ventilation system is working properly
– Reduce stocking density toward the end of the finishing phase
– Limit competition for resources (water and feed)
– Use summer feed formulations
– Prepare breeding stock
– Prepare for inseminations
– The human factor is important
– Consult your technician and veterinarian
2 – DURING EXTREME HEAT: IMPROVE ANIMAL COMFORT
– Observe the animals to assess their perceived temperature
– Avoid activities that cause spikes in activity in the middle of the day
– Increase water intake
– Spray water on the animals outside the barns
– Increase air intake areas
– Create airflow over the animals
– Mist water near the air intakes
– Limit the rise in bedding temperature
– Anticipate heat peaks by managing feeding times, portion sizes, and the distribution of specific feed
– Accurately detect estrus
– Protect semen doses
– Inseminate using flexible protocols
– Monitor gestation to quickly detect failures – Monitor sows in the farrowing house
3 – AFTER EXTREME HEAT: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
– Limit heat absorption by the building
– Limit sunlight entering the building
– Invest in a cooling system
– Invest in a ground-source heat pump
– Return to a normal feeding schedule
– Long-term effects
– Conduct a post-heatwave reproductive assessment
4 – PRACTICAL INFORMATION
– Cost of major accidents in swine farming
– Early warning tools
– IFIP training
Download the Guide to Raising Pigs During Heat Waves here
