FARMER FOUS: Hot weather causes havoc in pig sheds
Summer weather has meant that my pig houses are extremely warm. I am struggling to keep animal temperatures anywhere near where they should be, especially in those buildings without fans. Houses with fans can also reach high temperatures, but due to the movement of air, pigs do not seem to be as badly affected and are more comfortable.
Electricity consumption has risen sharply, with an extra cost of £300 in one month, and with looming rises in electricity prices it looks like we are set for higher costs of production in this area.
Due to these high temperatures, intakes have been reduced, with a corresponding negative effect on growth rates. However, on the plus side, we seem to have had better grading results, with less fat laid down on the carcass, probably as a direct effect of restricted intakes. The old saying “what you gain in one hand you lose in the other” often seems to be a reality in pig farming.
The whole farming community has been saddened by the recent deaths of farmers, both young and older, due to farm accidents in Northern Ireland. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time. However, when tragedy strikes others it can bring back some strong memories of the pain you suffered.
I recently had a chance to visit the excellent new dairy facilities at Greenmount Campus CAFRE. We were given a tour of the purpose-built facility, which has been designed for student education in dairy farming. It was really interesting to hear the planning and research that has influenced the new parlor, calving pens and cubicle houses. Lameness can be an issue on dairy farms and the new facility has a lot of systems in place to tackle this problem. It made me wonder just how many sows I am culling because of lameness and whether I am doing anything to try and tackle this problem in my sow herd.
Another interesting thing was that all cows had pedometers on their ankles for heat detection. Is it out of the question to have a similar system for loose-housed sows to reduce wasted empty days? I feel it is useful to look at other farming enterprises and what new technologies are being implemented and then ask if these things can be of practical use in my pig business.
Andrew McCrea farms a 740-sow birth-to-bacon business and 150 beef cattle on 37ha. He is a DARD Focus Farmer and was 2010 Farmers Weekly Pig Farmer of the Year.