# Impact of automated thermal control on finishing pigs in semi-arid regions

## TL;DR

This study shows that automated thermal control systems can improve pig welfare and growth in hot, dry regions by reducing heat stress.

## Contribution

A prototype automated thermal control system for swine in semi-arid regions was developed and evaluated for its impact on animal welfare and performance.

## Key findings

- Automated thermal control reduced floor temperatures by about 3°C compared to no control.
- Micro-sprinkling lowered pigs' respiratory rate and increased daily weight gain.
- Body temperatures of pigs were significantly lower with thermal control, indicating better welfare.

## Abstract

Automation and environmental control offer solutions to enhance animal welfare and production efficiency in regions with adverse climates. This study aimed to develop a prototype for thermal environment control in finishing swine pens located in a semi-arid region and to evaluate its performance based on microclimatic traits, physiological responses, animal performance, and thermographic aspects of both the facility and the animals. The experiment involved thirty finishing gilts (Duroc × Large White crossbreeds), grouped by age and weight into three treatments (each with 10 animals per experimental unit). The automated thermal control treatments applied were: (1) no thermal control, (2) automatic activation of a micro-sprinkling system, and (3) automatic activation of micro-sprinkling combined with ventilation. Environmental conditions in all treatments failed to reach optimal thermal comfort levels for finishing pigs, due to the semi-arid characteristics of the region. However, the thermal control treatments reduced floor temperatures by approximately 3 °C compared to the treatment without thermal control. The micro-sprinkling treatment reduced the respiratory rate by 5.32 breaths/min and promoted an average daily weight gain of 0.26 kg/day compared to the control group. Additionally, the pigs’ body temperatures were significantly lower than those in the untreated group, indicating improved animal welfare. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of automated thermal control systems as a strategy to enhance swine production in semi-arid regions.