These Pads Proactively Reduce Body Temperature Of Barn-Dwelling Hogs
Rahul Kalvapalle — September 2, 2023 — Tech
References: purdue.edu & newatlas
A team of scientists and innovators over at Purdue University in Indiana have developed a cooling pad that is specifically designed to stop hogs living in barns from overheating during heat waves.
Devised by professors Allan Schinckel and Robert M. Stwalley III, these cooling pads comprise a rubber base and an aluminum plate, with the space in between these two layers featuring temperature sensors and copper pipes. When the sensors notice that a hog that's lying on the pad is too warm, they flush out warm water from the pipes and circulate colder water, which helps to bring the animal's body temperature down to a reasonable level again.
While the most obvious and important benefit of these cooling pads is that they help to keep the hogs more comfortable and safe during hot weather, the uptake of the pads will undoubtedly also be driven by the knowledge that keeping hogs at comfortably cool temperatures will have a positive impact on various elements ranging from feeding intake and milk output to sperm motility.
Image Credit: Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell
Devised by professors Allan Schinckel and Robert M. Stwalley III, these cooling pads comprise a rubber base and an aluminum plate, with the space in between these two layers featuring temperature sensors and copper pipes. When the sensors notice that a hog that's lying on the pad is too warm, they flush out warm water from the pipes and circulate colder water, which helps to bring the animal's body temperature down to a reasonable level again.
While the most obvious and important benefit of these cooling pads is that they help to keep the hogs more comfortable and safe during hot weather, the uptake of the pads will undoubtedly also be driven by the knowledge that keeping hogs at comfortably cool temperatures will have a positive impact on various elements ranging from feeding intake and milk output to sperm motility.
Image Credit: Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell
Trend Themes
1. Heat-relief Solutions for Livestock - Innovative cooling pads for hogs can reduce the risk of heat-related stress in barns and offer potential benefits to livestock production.
2. Sensor-enabled Animal Monitoring - Temperature sensors integrated into cooling pads allow real-time monitoring of animal body temperature, presenting opportunities for improved welfare and performance.
3. Optimizing Livestock Productivity - Maintaining optimal body temperature through innovative cooling solutions may positively impact factors such as feeding intake, milk output, and sperm motility.
Industry Implications
1. Agriculture - Cooling pads designed for hogs in barns offer potential advancements in livestock management practices and animal welfare within the agriculture industry.
2. Animal Husbandry - Sensor-enabled cooling pads provide opportunities for improved monitoring and management of animal health and productivity in the field of animal husbandry.
3. Thermal Management Technology - The development of cooling pads for livestock highlights the potential for innovation in thermal management technology and its applications across industries.
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