By Josh Maschhoff, director of flow and production for The Maschhoffs
It may sound odd as it’s 82 degrees and sunny outside as I write this, but it’s time to dust off the winter checklist. I’m not normally one for lists. However, with the sporadic weather of the Midwest, lists help prevent little things from falling through the cracks.
The changing season brings on challenges for pig health, biosecurity risks, stuffy ventilation and ultimately, increased mortality. This checklist is intended to provide preparation tips for controlling some of these challenges before they become big problems.
1. Pig Health
Starting new wean pigs in the fall and upcoming winter requires a lot of supplemental heat. The barn environment alone shifts the focus of primary health impactors from enteric to more respiratory. In the summer, we focus on hydration of wean pigs from the time they come in the door after transport. In the winter, we need to be more diligent about our feeder pans and mat feeding knowing those pigs are going to be slower to hit the feeder right in the door.
2. Barn Environment
Prepping the barn should include setting up a warm, dry environment. If using an all-in/all-out fill strategy, consider using whitewash before placement to decrease risk of enteric challenges of the last group. Ensuring the barn environment is ventilated properly is a huge key to success. The right amount of air at the right speed delivered to the right place is essential to early pig startup. This requires a lot of preparation. Unintended air inlets are the arch nemesis of good ventilation. Air should be channeled into the barn environment from areas that the caregiver can control to ensure it can be adjusted in response to the pigs’ behaviors.
3. Biosecurity
We all know nasty pathogens find safe harbor in cool, wet environments. Our biosecurity precautions need to ramp up during this season. Make sure entry and exit points are clean, locked and controlled. Avoid visits to high-traffic areas before entering the barn. This limits the pigs’ exposure to a different health status. Good hygiene and sanitation when changing clothes or showering into barn, in addition to respecting clean/dirty lines is always important. If you have additional staff on farm, host a refresher training and ask questions.
4. Heaters
Clean and test all heaters. Also make sure you have plenty of spare heater parts on hand, such as igniters, flame sensors, airflow switches, etc. Set heaters according to normal ventilation plans. Ensure enough bandwidth in the setting to not trigger additional ventilation from a heater running too long. The heater should kick on often and for short periods of time to make for the most even environment.
5. Tunnel Curtains and Sidewall Curtains
Run the tunnel curtains shut and make sure they shut tightly with no gaps. Patch any holes, if there are a lot of holes think about replacing the curtain. This will prevent cold air from leaking through the curtain and save on propane.
6. Non-Emergency Fans
Cover up all large non-emergency fans. Make sure all fan louvers are in place and not broken. A cost-effective way to limit air leaks to protect young pigs in a barn is to use plastic sandwiched between the louvers and the cone. Don’t forget to disconnect that fan from accidentally turning on.
7. Emergency Fans
If you have emergency fans, ensure the thermostat setting is correct for the season. These can be covered outside with plastic tube around the cone that allows for them to run but sucks up tight against the farm when not needed to avoid unnecessary air entering the barn.
8. Alarms
Set the alarms for winter temperatures. Adjust the high limit lower to match the season.
9. Emergency Drops
Barns with emergency curtain drops could be modified to add a chain that limits the drop to prevent overchilling a young pig in the heart of winter.
10. Generator Testing
Test generators regularly. Use winter blend fuel to prevent gelling, and if it is outside, make sure it has adequate block heater functioning to reduce stress on the generator starting under immediate load. Also test the transfer switch to ensure it is operational.
11. Brooders
These should be cleaned and ready to function. Ensuring gas orifices are cleaned and thermocouples are functional prior to placement can prevent frustration later.
12. Inlets
Whether using gravity or automated inlets, it’s important to do the math on the required amount of minimum air exchange per number of animals in the facility for a power-ventilated barn. If pigs are smaller, closing unnecessary inlets can prevent drafts and health challenges while allowing for greater ventilation control. If automated inlets are used, testing the first several stages in the controller allows the caregiver to ensure the right speed of air in the inlet matches for each stage. Remember, 800-1,000 feet per minute is ideal.
13. Snow Doors
Check to make sure snow doors are functional and can adequately seal to prevent moisture impacting the insulation in the attic.
Each farm has its own unique challenges and the checklist for each farm will look different. Taking the time to develop a farm-specific checklist – whether it is a sow farm, nursery or finisher – will help prevent frustrations with seasonal climate changes. Training the staff on that checklist and factoring for variables like naturally versus power-ventilated barns is critical. The timing of items to be checked off the list can vary depending upon the outside temperatures. Expecting this checklist to be completed while its 82 degrees outside seems silly, but building in preparation and timing will make for a much less frustrating winter.
More from The Maschhoffs on Farm Journal’s PORK:
Whitewash: A Unique Solution to Address Gut Health Challenges
Use Outbreak Investigations to Improve Production Performance
Showing Pigs Built My Future in the Swine Industry
