31 Pork News & Views Pork News & Views Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Better Pork | February 2024 ding processes for various external temperature conditions. Cold weather transport In the cold winter months transporters need to find a balance between proper ventilation to prevent condensation build up and warmth from the elements. Both cold temperatures and wind chill factors affect the welfare and safety of pigs during transport. The combination of temperature and wind chill impacts the risk of developing frostbite. Figure 1 shows how the two measures interact, creating different risk levels for developing frostbite. Colder temperatures with higher wind chills drastically reduce the amount of time it takes for frostbite to develop. During cold temperatures, the inside of the trailer is often warmer than outside for several reasons. Pigs produce heat which warms the inside of the trailer, and wind speed is much less inside the trailer compared to outside. Bedding provided to the pigs will also help to keep the inside of the trailer warmer. Proper boarding of the trailer sides will help to ensure the right temperature is maintained inside the trailer during transport and prevent the build up of condensation which can lead to damp pigs, chilling and frostbite. Transporters need to balance between keeping the trailer warm and maintaining proper ventilation. It is also important to ensure pigs are not overcrowded during winter transport. Pigs must be able to move away from cold spots into warmer areas of the trailer and should be able to avoid leaning against the trailer walls. Overcrowding increases the risk of frostbite to the pigs. Information regarding stocking densities for different weather conditions and a stocking density calculator can be found on Ontario Pork’s website (ontariopork. on.ca). Remember, smaller, young pigs are more susceptible to cold stress than larger pigs, and thus extra care should be given when transporting young pigs in winter. The following measures should be taken when transporting pigs in cold weather: Keep the pigs dry. Ensure the trailer is completely dry before loading pigs. Provide adequate clean/dry Estimated Air Temperature Bedding* (minimum recommended bags/trailer) 90-95% closed ≤ -12oC Heavy (6 bags) 75-90% closed -11 to -7 oC Heavy (4-6 bags) 50-75% closed -6 to -1 oC Heavy (4-6 bags) 50-75% closed 0 to 4 oC Medium (3-4 bags) 25-50% closed 5 to 10 oC Medium (3-4 bags) 0-25% closed 11 to 15 oC Medium (3-4 bags) 0% closed 16 to 32 oC Medium (3-4 bags) 0% closed ≥ 32 oC Light (1-2 bags) 18% Table 1: Recommended truck setup procedures for market hogs based on air temperatures. *bedding refers to a 50 pound bale of wood shavings. Table adapted from National Pork Board TQA Program Figure 1: Canada's Wind Chill Index showing the risk of frostbite relative to windspeed and temperature (Environment Canada)
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