Fall is a great time to plan for seasonal ventilation maintenance and manure pit pump-out, says Iowa State University extension agriculture and biosystems engineer Brett Ramirez. That’s why he recommends taking time now to help ensure these critical steps are completed before cold weather.
“It’s critical to get barns ready for winter to help reduce heating costs and provide a good environment for the pigs,” Ramirez said in an Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) release. “Routine equipment inspections and maintenance will pay dividends in the long run, not only by extending the life of the equipment but also creating a good environment inside the barn.”
IPIC’s Winter Ventilation Checklist AE3553B is a helpful tool for this seasonal job, he adds. It’s available as a free download from the ISU Extension store, the checklist can be printed and laminated for use as needed.
Because some of the tasks and checkpoints listed might not be intuitive for everyone, having it in hand with space for notes is helpful no matter who does the maintenance, Ramirez explains.
In addition to ventilation maintenance, Ramirez encourages producers to keep safety at the top of the list when it comes to pit pumping this fall. He recommends following these safe operation procedures:
1. Never enter the building while pumping — use caution tape, mark barn entrances, and alert everyone that pumping is occurring.
2. If possible, remove animals from the portion of the barn where agitation and removal will occur.
3. It may be worth investing in a gas monitor. If you have one, have it handy during pumping.
4. Make sure someone is at the site during pumping, and that they have a copy of the emergency action plan.
5. Prohibit smoking, open flames, and spark-producing activities in the immediate vicinity.
6. Observe animals for signs of noxious gas distress.
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