Heat Stress Prevention & Management in Swine Farms During Hot Weather

High temperature and humidity in hot weather can trigger heat stress in pigs, leading to the following issues:

● Respiratory distress, acute panting, foaming at the mouth, and obvious conjunctival congestion;

● Reduced feed intake and slowed weight gain;

● Decreased immunity, increasing the risk of secondary diseases;

● Lower semen quality in boars, affecting conception rate and litter size;

● Declined reproductive performance in sows, higher culling rate (weaning culling rate increases by 5%–8% per batch), reducing both the quantity and quality of PSY;

● Lower utilization rate of replacement gilts, resulting in unmet batch production targets;

● High risk of sudden death in finishing pigs, late-pregnant sows and farrowing sows.

High temperatures also place severe demands on farm equipment. Failure to maintain equipment properly may lead to compounding issues and significant economic losses.

Below are practical recommendations and precautions to provide a comfortable and safe environment for pigs during summer.

Feed & Water Additives

The following can be supplemented in feed or drinking water:

Sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, vitamin C, anti-stress medications, and dandelion (for diuresis and detumescence).

Note:

Sodium citrate and dandelion should not be used long-term — limit to 10–15 days per month.

Equipment Maintenance

Cooling Pads

Before use, clean the cooling pad media, water reservoirs, and circulating pipelines to ensure cleanliness.

Fans

● Disconnect power before maintenance; lubricate bearings and inspect motors and transmission components.

● Ensure fans spin smoothly before restoring power.

● Do not directly wash fans with water.

Alarm & Control Systems

● Test audible and visual alarms to ensure proper function.

● Check battery capacity, charging and discharging performance; replace batteries regularly.

● Inspect environmental controllers and centralized alarm systems daily.

● Never disable alarms or cut power to alarm lights/buzzers.

Liquid Feed Kitchen

Maintain cleanliness and ventilation to prevent insect infestations.

Operation Management

● Schedule automatic feeding rationally to avoid peak electricity usage.

● Avoid frequent starting and stopping of equipment.

EC Fans – Recommended Climate Control Solution

As the internationally mainstream climate control solution, EC fans offer multiple advantages:

● Precise & Uniform Ventilation: Synchronous multi-fan operation ensures even air distribution with no dead zones. Stepless speed regulation avoids sudden temperature fluctuations.

● Easy Maintenance: Reduced wiring and eliminates the need for power distribution cabinets.

● High Efficiency & Energy Saving: High efficiency even at low speeds, significantly cutting electricity costs — investment can be recovered in 1–2 years.

● Low Noise: Quiet operation at low speeds improves comfort for both pigs and farm staff.

Even high-end equipment and management systems will not achieve optimal results without proper operation and implementation.

During hot weather, closely monitor pig condition and ensure correct use and maintenance of all equipment.