Purpose
Microenvironment in swine buildings is the specific and localized environmental conditions that directly affect the animals. Air quality is one of the critical conditions for the safety, health, productivity, and behavior of the animals and the health of workers. However, limited research has been conducted on air quality within the microenvironment of swine barns. The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding and management of swine production and welfare by measuring and characterizing the microenvironmental particulate matter (PM) concentrations in a swine facility.
What Did We Do?
This study covered a batch of swine farrowing from September 20 to October 15, 2024, in a 12-pen room of an experimental building at Purdue University. Measurement started on September 21, the second day after the sows were moved into the room. Fine and inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10, respectively) concentrations and air temperatures were monitored using 12 portable PM sensors and 12 T-type thermocouples, respectively, at approximately 50 cm (1.6 feet) above the slatted floor on the sow head/feeder end in each pen. Pig activity levels were monitored using a passive infrared detector positioned on the ceiling above each pen. Fan airflow rates were monitored using anemometers to determine room ventilation rates. All measurement data were recorded every minute. The PM concentration data from different sensors were normalized to remove sensitivity variations among the sensors. Data were analyzed for the dynamic and spatial variations of PM concentrations in the room and among different pens.
What Have We Learned?
Results showed that overall PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations changed dynamically. Sows did not generate a significant amount of PM before farrowing. The PM concentrations increased dramatically from pre-farrowing to farrowing and continued to increase to the maximum approximately 15 days after farrowing. After that the PM concentrations decreased daily until weaning. The PM concentrations in the pens were similar to empty pens right after the sows and piglets were removed at the end of the study (Figure 1). Diurnal variations in PM concentrations were evident and were affected by pig activities and room ventilation rates. Some management operations in the room caused spikes of PM concentrations, which did not last for long. Notable differences in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations among the pens were observed. Concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 within the same pen displayed similar variation patterns (Figure 1 top and bottom).
Future Plans
More experiments will be conducted to study PM emissions from swine farrowing facilities. Measurement methodologies will be improved to increase data accuracies and completeness. Additionally, the results of swine building microenvironment study will be disseminated via Extension to producers and other stakeholders.
Authors
Presenting & corresponding author
Ji-Qin Ni, Professor, Purdue University, jiqin@purdue.edu
Additional authors
Ritika Sachdeva, Graduate Student; Alexandra Elizabeth Fisk, Graduate Student; Katherine E. Klassen, Graduate Student; Subin Han, Graduate Student; Jae Hong Park, Associate Professor; Brian T. Richert, Associate Professor, Purdue University
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the National Pork Board under Grant ID: 22-000290
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