Establishing Bedding Requirements during Transport and Monitoring Skin Temperature during Cold and Mild Seasons after Transport for Finishing Pigs

McGlone, John J.; Johnson, Anna K.; Sapkota, A.; Kephart, Rebecca K.

doi:10.3390/ani4020241

Cited by 15 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…The three bedding depths used in these trips did not provide any observable additional thermal insulation to the pigs, as measured by differences in pig surface temperature. This result agrees with a recent study [34], which reported no significant effect on the thermal environment for 3–12 bags of bedding for outdoor temperatures ranging from −13 to 45 °C (8 to 113 °F). In that study, the trailer was divided into four compartments, and five laser thermometers were used to collect pig surface temperature on the flank/side of ten randomly selected pigs during unloading.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Characteristics of Trailer Thermal Environment during Commercial Swine Transport Managed under U.S. Industry Guidelines

Xiong

Green

Gates

2015

Animals

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Simple SummaryTemperature and thermal conditions of the interior of a swine trailer during transport were monitored over a broad range of outdoor conditions (34 trips total) managed according to industry best practice (Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) guidelines (NPB, 2008)). For the outdoor temperature range of 5 °C (40 °F) to 27 °C (80 °F), generally acceptable trailer thermal conditions were observed according to the TQA. Beyond this outdoor temperature range, undesirable conditions within the trailer were prevalent. Areas for potential improvement in transport management were identified. Stops resulted in rapid increases in temperature, which could be beneficial during cooler outdoor temperatures, but detrimental for warmer outdoor temperatures.AbstractTransport is a critical factor in modern pork production and can seriously affect swine welfare. While previous research has explored thermal conditions during transport, the impact of extreme weather conditions on the trailer thermal environment under industry practices has not been well documented; and the critical factors impacting microclimate are not well understood. To assess the trailer microclimate during transport events, an instrumentation system was designed and installed at the central ceiling level, pig level and floor-level in each of six zones inside a commercial swine trailer. Transport environmental data from 34 monitoring trips (approximately 1–4 h in duration each) were collected from May, 2012, to February, 2013, with trailer management corresponding to the National Pork Board Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) guidelines in 31 of these trips. According to the TQA guidelines, for outdoor temperature ranging from 5 °C (40 °F) to 27 °C (80 °F), acceptable thermal conditions were observed based on the criteria that no more than 10% of the trip duration was above 35 °C (95 °F) or below 0 °C (32 °F). Recommended bedding, boarding and water application were sufficient in this range. Measurements support relaxing boarding guidelines for moderate outdoor conditions, as this did not result in less desirable conditions. Pigs experienced extended undesirable thermal conditions for outdoor temperatures above 27 °C (80 °F) or below 5 °C (40 °F), meriting a recommendation for further assessment of bedding, boarding and water application guidelines for extreme outdoor temperatures. An Emergency Livestock Weather Safety Index (LWSI) condition was observed inside the trailer when outdoor temperature exceeded 10 °C (50 °F); although the validity of LWSI to indicate heat stress for pigs during transport is not well established. Extreme pig surface temperatures in the rear and middle zones of the trailer were more frequently experienced than in the front zones, and the few observations of pigs dead or down upon arrival were noted in these zones. Observations indicate that arranging boarding placement may alter the ventilation patterns inside the trailer.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Characteristics of Trailer Thermal Environment during Commercial Swine Transport Managed under U.S. Industry Guidelines

Xiong

Green

Gates

2015

Animals

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“…Skin temperature recorded immediately before unloading (TbU) considers that the vehicle is stationary and there is no air flow, as a result the temperature of the front compartments rises, which carries a microclimate inside the livestock container with thermal variations, and thereby influences the welfare of pigs (WESCHENFELDER et al, 2013). In this sense, Mcglone et al, (2014) found temperature of the swine skin surface from the vehicles increased linearly with the increasing outside air temperature. In addition, the air temperature inside and outside of the truck during the journey can influence the loss of quantities of heat and fluids due to panting and sweating, and it is possibly related with enthalpy, which is the heat energy of the air surrounding the animal, dictating the degree of heat loss inside the trailer (VILLARROEL et al, 2011).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of transport density and gender on skin temperature and carcass and meat quality in pigs

Pereira¹,

Corassa²,

Komiyama³

et al. 2017

Biosci. J.

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Pre-slaughter handling of pigs established properly is very important, not only from the point of view of welfare, but also for the quality of meat. The aim of present research was to evaluate the effect of gender and density of pigs during their transport to the abattoir on the skin temperature and carcass and meat quality. Were used 192 (115.54 ± 6.03 kg) finishing pigs to investigate the effects of gender (barrows and gilts) and transport densities for slaughter (236, 251, and 275 kg/m²) on the skin temperature and carcass and meat quality. Average skin temperature between genders and transport densities at any point of time during pre-slaughter did not differ. Skin temperatures before unloading had the highest average value relative to all other time points, followed by immediately after unloading and remaining the same for the next 2 h. Lowest skin temperature value was registered on pigs at the pre-slaughter time followed by farm and at loading times. Pigs transported with different densities did not show differences for the skin carcass lesions. Meat from pigs transported at 275 kg/m² presented higher frequency of red, soft, exudative (RSE) and lower of red, firm, non-exudative (RFN) classes as compared to those for other densities. Animals transported at 236 and 251 kg/m² did not differ as the frequency of RSE and RFN meat. Skin temperature of pigs oscillate along the pre-slaughter times and the pre-slaughter transport of pigs at 236 and 251 kg/m² generates less frequency classes of faulty pork, although difference in the densities did not have any effect on the skin temperature and skin lesions.

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“…Bedding was provided by the trucking company. Bedding levels were based on findings from McGlone et al [ 9 ], and were randomly assigned to the trailers. Assigned levels were 0.6 m 3 bedding, 1.2 m 3 bedding, and 2.4 m 3 bedding.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A typical transport experience had a loading phase in which trailer temperature warms up. When the truck and trailer move, the trailer cools and reaches an equilibrium temperature (after 30 minutes) that depends primarily on outside temperature since trailers had a uniform number of pigs [ 9 ]. The trailer temperature then changes again when the truck and trailer stops and waits to unload and then it changes again during unloading.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature and Relative Humidity Inside Trailers During Finishing Pig Loading and Transport in Cold and Mild Weather

McGlone

Johnson

Sapkota

et al. 2014

Animals

Self Cite

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Simple SummaryThe multi-site nature of the modern pork industry makes transport an essential part of swine production. It is well documented that transport induces stress in pigs. Bedding levels can have a significant effect on temperature and relative humidity inside the trailer. This study aims to determine the effects of bedding level on trailer temperature and humidity between average air temperatures of 4 °C and 18 °C. Relative humidity was greatest when higher levels of bedding were used during loading and transport in cold but not mild weather.AbstractThe effect of bedding levels and trailer compartment on internal trailer temperature and relative humidity (RH) during loading and transport of finishing pigs was evaluated in cold and mild weather. Three levels of bedding were used in each experiment: 0.6 m3, 1.2 m3, and 2.4 m3. In mild weather, internal temperatures were lower when 1.2 m3 or 2.4 m3 of bedding were used during loading and transport compared to 0.6 m3 (P < 0.05). Internal trailer temperature increased in a quadratic fashion in the top front compartment when 1.2 m3 was used (P < 0.05), and in a linear fashion in the top rear compartment when 2.4 m3 were used in cold weather (P < 0.05). In mild weather, temperature increased linearly in the top front compartment with heavy bedding levels. Relative humidity increased in a linear fashion in the top front compartment with 0.6 m3, bottom front with 1.2 m3, and top front with 1.2 m3 in cold weather (P < 0.05). In general, temperature and RH increased as bedding levels increased in both cold and mild temperatures. Excess bedding can absorb more moisture, resulting in transport loss and decreased animal welfare

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Establishing Bedding Requirements during Transport and Monitoring Skin Temperature during Cold and Mild Seasons after Transport for Finishing Pigs

Cited by 15 publications

References 15 publications

Characteristics of Trailer Thermal Environment during Commercial Swine Transport Managed under U.S. Industry Guidelines

Characteristics of Trailer Thermal Environment during Commercial Swine Transport Managed under U.S. Industry Guidelines

The effect of transport density and gender on skin temperature and carcass and meat quality in pigs

Temperature and Relative Humidity Inside Trailers During Finishing Pig Loading and Transport in Cold and Mild Weather

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