Iowa crops aren’t the only thing that might die out in the warm weather.Iowa State University Extension Ag Engineering specialist Dan Meyer says he’s seen problems in Iowa swine herds this summer. That includes premature death of hogs from the heat. That’s especially the case in finishing operations when hogs are approaching 250 pounds. He says the heat also can be a problem for sows who don’t eat, but need to do so to make milk. Meyer says operators should check to be sure facilities have enough air running through to cool the animals.He says when the temperature gets even warmer, there is the option of using sprinklers. But, he says they have to be regulated by timers to be sure they don’t waste water. Meyer says you need to weigh the return on your investment before deciding to put in a new ventilation system. He cites the example of spending two thousand dollars. If you save one sow, that pays for the interest on your investment for the whole summer.
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