IHT Group to manufacture, sell hog-cooling technology in North America

Sep 11, 2023

IHT Group, based in Winnipeg, Canada, is bringing patented cooling pad technology for hogs to the North American market in spring 2024, according to a recent press release. The technology was designed by researchers in Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Department of Animal Sciences.

The pads are 2-foot-by-4-foot aluminum tread plates on top of copper pipes that circulate water. Sensors in the pads determine if the hog is too hot and circulate new water to keep the pad cool.

Heat harms hogs

Record heat across North America impacts not just people but also animals, including farmers' livestock. Francisco Cabezon, research president at Pipestone Research, which specialises in swine health research and recommendations, said overheating can cause problems for hogs.

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Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.