Cooling technologies for pigs: review 2024

Cooling technologies for pigs in intensive farming are reviewed to mitigate heat stress and improve welfare under rising temperatures. The review evaluates methods such as sprinklers, fans, cooling pads, and underfloor air inlets, drawing on research from 1976 to 2023. It supports welfare inspectors and stakeholders in implementing effective climate control on pig farms, particularly during high-temperature periods. The EU Reference Centre for Animal Welfare Pigs (EURC AW-Pigs), hosted by Wageningen Livestock Research, Aarhus University, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, provides expert guidance on compliance with EU pig welfare legislation.