Winterize your swine barns effectively

Oct 03, 2024
By Farms.com

Quick guide to preparing swine barns for winter

With winter approaching, maintaining a conducive environment in swine barns becomes essential for the health and productivity of the livestock.

Mark Oberreuter, a system design engineer, shares a comprehensive checklist to help farmers transition smoothly into the colder months.

Tunnel Curtains: Ensure these are intact and fully sealable to block cold winds from entering the barn.

Pit Covers: Verify that pit covers are snug, preventing any draft that might bypass the ventilation system.

Ceiling Inlets: These should be set correctly to manage air flow and maintain a stable barn temperature, preventing stress and illness in pigs.

Fans: Regularly check the condition of pit and sidewall fans, focusing on their cleanliness and functionality. Cover unused fans to maintain internal barn temperatures.

Heaters: Thoroughly clean and test all heaters, making adjustments as necessary to avoid overheating and consequent energy waste.

Additional preventative measures include draining all cooling systems and inspecting insulation to ensure it is adequate to retain heat within the barn.

Taking these steps early can safeguard against common winter challenges, ensuring that the barn remains a safe and comfortable home for swine throughout the season.

Farmers should consider consulting their swine equipment dealers for more detailed advice or visit online agricultural resources for additional support and information.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.