As the hog market continues to change, producers are driven to adopt and integrate new technologies related to improving sustainability and animal welfare. A patented Purdue University invention designed to cool sows and lower their respiration rate while farrowing has been licensed to Innovative Heating Technologies for further testing and commercialization.
Innovative Heating Technologies President Chris Grant said licensing the sow cooling pads is a “perfect fit” for their company based in Manitoba, Canada, and the next logical step for the company.
“Our primary focus is working with pork producers in a very narrow application: We manufacture the most energy-efficient heat mat for farrowing and nursery applications,” Grant said in a Purdue University release. “Introducing a cooling product specifically designed to reduce stress and improve animal welfare is a direct complement to our existing business.”
Allan Schinckel, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Robert Stwalley, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, developed the cooling pads. These 2-foot-by-4-foot aluminum tread plates sit on top of copper pipes that circulate water. Since there is only room for the sow on the pad, piglets that need to stay warm are off the edge while they feed, the release said. Sensors in the pad can determine if the sow is getting too hot and circulate new water, cooling the pad again.
These researchers have published several peer-reviewed papers on sow lactation heat production, feed intake and the technology.
“These published papers show the sound science around our design for efficient, effective heat removal,” Schinckel said in the release. “We have recently published data that demonstrate how the cooling pads increase the piglet weaning weights during times of higher temperatures.”
Innovative Heating Technologies will beta test the pads through partnered research trials at Purdue and select producers’ test facilities, Grant said in the release.
“Conversations on heat stress and sow cooling have been prioritized by producers and veterinarians. They are eager to implement new technology related to animal welfare,” Grant added. “We’re looking forward to participating in continued research with Purdue and have set a goal to introduce a commercial-ready cooling pad into hog facilities as soon as possible.”
The company’s main goal is to verify the efficiency and performance of the pads and to determine the impact they might have on the sows’ welfare and performance over time, Grant explained.
Purdue’s research was funded from a Purdue AgSEED grant, Trask Innovation Fund grant, National Pork Board Student Research or Extension Experience grant and the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network.
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