advantages with poor handling. In the past, pig farming was looking for strong workers, today we want a person who is smart. Less strength, more intelligence. In the future, pig activity will be monitored entirely online with cameras and sensors.”
Is feeding and nutrition also important? FDC: “Certainly, the main companies have adjustable nutrition programmes according to climatic conditions. However, per- haps the most important is how the food will be given. That is, to feed them during cooler periods. The supply of water in adequate quantity and quality is essential for maintaining homeostasis. Good levels of animal welfare obtains good re- sults. This implies monitoring and adapting facilities. Poorly regulated drinking fountains, with very low flow, can cause animals to spend a lot of extra energy trying to obtain the wa- ter and even reduce their consumption. On the other hand, high flow rates can throw a jet of water at the animals and make it difficult to drink. Another extremely important point is to keep water tanks in protected places so they don’t heat up.”
Negative pressure helps to refresh the environment for the animals and increases security levels against several airborne diseases.
is normal. In addition to this, thermographic cameras that operate as sensors in facilities are beginning to appear. When this equipment becomes cheaper, it might also be adopted in daily practice.”
In addition to the facilities, which management techniques are suggested? ODC: “Feeding during the coolest hours, handle curtains, wetting the animals and paying close attention to the water supply. The most important thing, however, is to observe animal behaviour. They give signals when they suffer from the heat, for example, becoming breathless. We strongly believe in handling and interpreting an animal’s behaviour. Even a bad installation can have a good result if it is well managed. On the other hand, a modern farm can lose all its
Are these solutions accessible to Brazilian producers? FDC: “They are now be accessible to everyone. The obstacle is technological training, and not so much the price of the equipment.”
Is there evidence that climate change has worsened the situation in the main producing regions of the country? ODC: “I don´t think climate change is affecting farms neither for good or bad. Productive models evolution is based on technical coefficients. These advances came voluntarily from the producer because they realised that it brings results. Pig farmers are highly focused on environmental issues. There is not enough evidence about climate change affecting Brazil’s producing regions.”
Automated curtains can protect animals from the sun and increase control level regarding the entire ambience when combined with ventilation or negative pressure.
30 ▶ HEAT STRESS | MAY 2021
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