Bedding and boarding while transporting pigs to
slaughter-choosing the right amount
Avi Sapkota, TTU
Anna Butters-Johnson, Assoc. Professor, ISU
John J. McGlone, PhD, Professor, TTU
June 6th, 2012
Overview and Background
•Total number of pigs
transported each year: over
100 million
•Rate of DOA: 0.17%
•Rate of NA: > 0.2%
•Pigs with negative welfare
problems during transport to
market: over 40,000 per year
Overview and Background
Issues:
•Welfare issue
•Public concern
•Economic impact for both
farm and plant
So, a major issue
$$$$$$
Overview and Background
•At temperatures 0 to 5 C, less NANI pigs with dry bedding as
compared to no bedding
•But overall, percentage of DOA and IOT pigs was less in dry
bedding trailer as compared to no bedding, but percentage
of NANI pigs was higher as compared to no or wet bedding.
(Sutherland et al, 2009)
DOA: dead on arrival, IOT: injured in trailer, NANI: down on trailer or
before weighing (non ambulatory, non injured), N&D: total dead
Overview and Background
Field data indicate that the rate of non-ambulatory, non-injured
pigs increases in cold weather, but DOA rate increases with
outside temperature (Sutherland, 2009).
Background
Field data indicate that the rate of DOA pigs increases in
warm weather (Sutherland, 2009).
Dead on Arrival (note linear increase above 70 F)
0.6
DOA, %
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
60
70
80
90
Air Temperature, F
100
110
y = 0.0062x - 0.1091
R2 = 0.9774
How to reduce losses??
•Selection of right breed
•Proper handling techniques
•Following a proper guideline and method
•Modifications in existing facilities
Ultimate??
The ultimate research goal is to develop industry
recommendations for internal trailer environment
management protocols that will optimize internal
trailer temperature, maintain pig comfort and
core body temperature and minimize transport
losses.
TQA Program
According to TQA Handbook, in
driver code of ethics,
• Transporter must have access to clean
bedding approved by the packer, and
must be used during transport.
• Provide extra bedding (wood
shavings, wheat straw, corn stubble)
during winter
TQA Program
TQA recommendations:
* Minimum openings are needed for ventilation even in the coldest weather.
† Consider using sand or wetting bedding if it is not too humid and trucks are
moving.
Bedding Study
Objective
• To define the bedding
requirements of pigs during
transportation in commercial
settings during:
• Cold weather
• Mild weather
• Warm weather
Study Design and Sample Size
Months
Bedding levels,
bales/trailer*
Air Temperature
Range
Jan-Feb
6, 12
8 to 68 F
-13 to 20 C
March-May
3, 6, 12
28 to 70 F
-2 to 21 C
June-July
3, 5, 7, 9
61 to 113 F
16 to 45 C
* 22.7 kg/bale or 50 lb
0.2 m3/bale or 7 ft3/bale
Background
Number of
bales/deck
1
1.5
3
6
mm
9.5
11.1
15.9
25.4
inches
3/8
3.5/8
5/8
1
Eights of
an inch
3/8
3.5/8
5/8
8/8
1 Bale
For a straight deck 53’ X 102” trailer
3 Bales
6 Bales
Study Design and Sample Size
Months
Temperature
Number
Trailers
Number pigs
Jan-Feb
Cold
174
28,855
March-May
Mild
345
58,007
June-July
Warm
254
41,824
--
773
128,686
Total
Materials and Methods
At finishing site:
• Random assignment of bedding level
• Information on bedding level, number of loads on that
bedding, boarding percentage
• Five sensors collected temperature and humidity in
different four compartments and one outside the trailer
from start of load to unload
• Handling methods, handling devices, intensity (on a
scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the mildest; 5 being
aggressive/abusive)
Materials and methods
At finishing site:
• Number of vocalizations, slips/falls, signs of stress
• Management aspects of farms: type of barn, facilities
like pen size, aisle, chute, floor type, walls etc., and
weather information (temperature, humidity, and wind
speed)
• Surface skin temperatures on the pigs flank/side of 10
randomly selected pigs (5 of first 50 and 5 of last 50
pigs loaded into the trailer) in each load using laser
thermometer with sensitivity of 0.1̊ F
Materials and methods
At plant:
• Air temperature, humidity, surface temperature of 10
pigs (as in finishing site)
• Handling device(s), handling intensity (as in finishing
site), vocalizations, slips/falls, time of arrival, waiting
and unloading
• Collected bedding samples to determine moisture %
• Record DOA, NA and D & D in each trip
Statistical Analysis
Primary models, by season, effects of:
• Level of bedding
• Air temperature (in 5 ̊ C bins)
• Interaction of bedding and air temperature
All data entered in Excel and analyzed using SAS
(General Linear Model). Regression lines calculated using
Excel and SAS.
Results
Ranges of conditions during data collection:
• Load time: 13 to 94 min
• Transit time: 16 to 459 min
• Waiting time at plant: 0 to 198 min
• Total D & D in a trip: 0 to 8
• Handing Intensity ranged: 1-5
• 43/440 (9.8%) loads at finishing sites had a handling
intensity of 5 (aggressive, abusive)
• 1/429 (0.23%) observations at plants had a handling
intensity of 5
DOA % by Bedding level
NA % by Bedding level
(P=0.13)
(P=0.73)
0.25
0.20
0.20
0.15
0.15
NA %
0.25
0.10
0.05
0.10
0.05
0.00
0.00
6
Bedding Level
12
6
Bedding Level
D & D % by Bedding level
(P=0.29)
0.25
No effect of
bedding
0.20
D&D%
DOA %
Results – Jan-Feb Bedding Effects
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
6
12
Bedding Level
12
Dead on arrival %
Results – Jan-Feb Temp Effects
DOA% by outside temperature bin
y = 0.0192x + 0.0341
P-value>0.05
R² = 0.8595
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
-5
23
0
5
10
15
20
32
41
50
59
68
Outside temperature bin, °C
Total dead and down %
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
Non-ambulatory %
No interaction
between bedding
and air
temperature
NA% by outside temperature bin
+ 0.276x - 0.126
P-value>0.05 y = 0.011x3 - 0.106x2
R² = 0.905
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
-5
0
5
10
15
20
23
32
41
50
59
68
Outside temperature bin, °C
D&D by outside temperature bin
P-value>0.05
y = 0.0172x - 0.1564x + 0.4273x - 0.1901
3
2
R² = 0.9796
-5
23
0
32
5
10
50
Outside temperature bin, °C
41
15
59
20
68
DOA % by Bedding level
NA % by Bedding level
(Treatment not significant, P=0.21)
(Treatment not significant, P=0.84)
0.25
0.2
0.2
NA %
0.25
0.15
0.1
0.05
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0
3
6
bedding level
12
3
6
bedding level
D & D % by Bedding level
(Treatment not significant, P=0.34)
0.25
No effect of
bedding
0.2
D&D%
DOA %
Results – March-May Bedding
Effects
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
3
6
bedding level
12
12
Results – March-May Temp Effects
1.0
0.6
Non-ambulatory %
Dead on arrival %
0.8
DOA% by outside temperature bin
P-value>0.05
y = 0.0059x2 - 0.0265x + 0.1158
R² = 0.5552
0.4
0.2
0.0
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
NA% by outside temperature bin
P<0.05
a
a
y = 0.0282x2 - 0.2797x + 0.7014
R² = 0.9065
b
b
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
32
41
50
59
68
77
32
41
No interaction
between bedding
and air temperature
Total dead and down %
Outside temperature bin, °C
10
50
ab
b
15
20
59
68
Outside temperature bin, °C
25
77
D&D% by outside temperature bin
ac
P-value=0.07
1.0
0.8
y = 0.0341x2 - 0.3062x + 0.8171
R² = 0.8536
a
0.6
bc
b
0.4
ab
ab
0.2
0.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
32
41
50
59
68
77
Outside temperature bin, °C
Results – June-July Bedding
Effects
DOA % by Bedding Level
NA % by Bedding Level
P=0.054
P=0.206
0.80
0.80
NA %
0.40
a
ab
0.60
ab
b
ab
b
ab
a
0.40
0.20
0.20
0.00
0.00
3
5
7
3
9
5
7
Bedding Level
Bedding Level
D & D % by Bedding Level
P=0.076
More bedding is
harmful in warm
weather
ab
0.80
b
ab
0.70
0.60
D&D%
DOA %
0.60
0.50
a
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
3
5
7
Bedding Level
9
9
Results – June-July Temp Effects
0.8
DOA% by outside temperature bin
P
y = -0.0201x2 + 0.2168x - 0.2167
R² = 0.8438
Dead on arrival %
0.6
b
ab
0.4
0.2
ab
a
ab
0.8
y = -0.0374x3 + 0.3191x2 - 0.748x + 0.4968
R² = 0.9398
0.6
0.4
0.2
a
a
b
a
a
0.0
0.0
15
-0.2
NA % by outside temperature bin
P
1.0
Non-ambulatory %
1.0
59
20
25
30
35
68
77
86
95
-0.2
15
20
59
68
Outside temperature bin, °C
No interaction
between bedding
and air temperature
Total dead and down %
1.0
0.8
0.6
25
30
77
Outside temperature bin, °C
D&D % by outside temperature bin
P
b
y = -0.0699x3 + 0.5944x2 - 1.3168x + 0.8446
R² = 0.9984
ab
ab
a
0.4
a
0.2
0.0
15
-0.2
59
20
68
25
77
Outside temperature bin, °C
30
35
86
95
86
35
95
Overall DOA, NA and D&D % with outside temperature
Dead on arrival %
1.0
0.8
Dead on arrival, %
y = 0.0076x2 - 0.0394x + 0.126
R² = 0.8148
b
0.6
b
bc
0.4
a
ac
0.2
a
a
a
a
0.0
-5
0
5
10
-0.2
15
20
25
30
35
Non-ambulatory, %
Temperature bins, C
Non-ambulatory %
1.0
y = -0.0023x4 + 0.0456x3 - 0.3037x2 + 0.7553x - 0.4407
R² = 0.7526
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Total dead and down %
Total dead and down,
%
1.0
ab
0.4
ab
a
a
10
15
5
c
bc
b
ab
0.2
0
ab
0.0
-5
0
5
20
Temperature bins, C
10
15
20
Temperature bins, C
y = -0.0037x4 + 0.0733x3 - 0.4755x2 + 1.1484x - 0.615
R² = 0.9
0.8
0.6
-5
-0.2
25
30
35
25
30
35
Skin Surface Temperature
Average skin surface temperature in
relation to outside temperature bin
P-value:<0.001
The warmer the outside
temperature, the warmer was
the pig surface
40
Surface skin temperature, C
y = 0.3729x + 23.909
R² = 0.9459
35
30
25
20
15
-10
14
-5
0
5
10
15
23
32
41
50
5
20
68
25
30
35
40
77
86
95
104
Outside temperature bin, C
Skin Surface Temperature and Dead and Downs
Total dead and down %
1.0
Total dead and down, %
0.8
y = 0.1093x - 3.3455
R² = 0.8013
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
30
-0.2
-0.4
86
31
32
88
90
33
91
34
93
Average surface skin temperature, C
35
95
36
97
Results
Fresh bedding (6 Bags)
3 bags, second load
6 bags, second load
Results
12 bags, first load, 26% moisture
12 bags, first load
Fresh bedding with only 5% moisture
12 bags, second load, 51% moisture
Results
Used bedding inside the trailer
73.87% moisture, 6 bags, 4th load, 60% boarding
Results
Inside trailer temperature
Temperature of Trailer Compartments
60.0
Temperature (*F)
50.0
Front Top
Front Bottom
Rear Top
Rear Bottom
Outside
40.0
30.0
20.0
4:45
5:45
6:45
7:45
8:45
Results
Inside trailer relative humidity
Relative Humidity of Trailer Compartments
100.0
Relative Humidity (%)
90.0
Front Top
80.0
Front Bottom
Rear Top
70.0
Rear Bottom
Outside
60.0
50.0
4:45
5:45
6:45
7:45
8:45
Conclusions – Bedding
Season
Temp
range
Significant
bedding
effect?
Conclusions
Recom,
Bales/trailer
Cold
weather
< 32 F
No
Added bedding
-- no advantage
beyond 6 bales
6*
* No data on
less than 6
bales
Mild
weather
32 - 70 F
No
Added bedding
– no advantage
above 3 bales
3
Warm
weather
> 70 F
Yes
Added bedding
negative effect
on DOA
3*
* No data on
less than 3 or
0 bedding
Economics of Bedding Use
Item
Amount
Approximate number of pigs processed
per day in the USA
420,000
Average pigs per truck/trailer
170
Approximate number of
trucks/trailers/day
2,470
% fresh bedding used per truck/trailer
50%
Trailers using new bedding/day
1,235
Economics of Bedding Use
Item
Trailers using new bedding/day
Amount Dollar amount,
@ $6/bale
1,235
Number of daily bales at 3 extra
bales/day (in summer)
3,705
$22,230
Number of daily bales at 6 extra
bales/day (in winter)
30 days cold, added bedding cost
7,410
$44,460
6 extra
bales
3 extra
bales
$1,333,800
120 days warm, added bedding
Total added bedding cost
$2,667,600
Per year $4,001,400
Conclusions – Air Temperature
• Cold weather increased NA
• Warm weather increased DOA
• No interaction between bedding and air
temperature
Conclusions – Pig Surface Temperature
• Pig surface temperature
changes with air temperature
• In warm weather, increased
surface temperature predicts
increased DOA
Conclusions
Overuse of bedding causes:
• Increased bedding cost for no return
• Increased pigs losses (dead and down)
• At least a $ 4 million economic cost just by
using extra bedding (exact pig losses due to extra
bedding yet to be determined) per year unless
bedding levels are adjusted
• A welfare problem in warm weather
What Next??
• Is bedding needed and positive for the pig?
• Examine zero bales in the summer and less than 6 bales in cold
weather for efficacy
• Define the boarding needs for the industry
• Define misting requirements
Boarding Study
Objective
Determining the proper use weather boards/plugs
in controlling the internal environment of the
trailer to provide for the thermal comfort of the
pig during cool temperatures.
Materials and Methods
% Closed or boarded/plugs*
Air
temperature, F
10-19 F
20-39 F
40-49 F
50-60 F
Current
TQA
75
50
25
0
Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3
50
25
0
0
75
50
25
25
90
75
50
--
100 trailers per temperature bin (400 trailers in total) will be used
Materials and methods
Truck status at the farm
- bedding depth, boarding rate, trailer type
(straight deck vs. pot), air temperature and humidity (by
Hobos; 4 inside per trailer and 1 outside on a sample of
trailers), load time at the farm
- A data sheet completed at the farm site and
handed to the driver for delivery to researchers at the
plant.
Materials and methods
Truck status at the plant
- bedding status, boarding rate, straight deck vs. pot,
travel time
- Times
• arrival time at the plant, wait time at the plant, time to
unload
- Environmental measurements at the plant:
• air temperature & relative humidity: internal on trailer
at pig level & outside
• wind speed & wind chill index will be determined
Materials and methods
Truck status at the plant
- pig temperature (at least 10 pigs) – skin surface temps
- transport loss incidence (NANI, NAI, DOA; some
plants collect only DOA and Non-ambulatory[NA])
- trim loss per trailer
- audit of pigs coming off the truck – slips & falls,
vocalizations, incidence of frostbite, signs of stress (ex.,
open-mouth breathing, skin discoloration, muscle
tremors)
Till now
•Only 74 trailers covered (out of 400 required),
so analysis is not complete yet.
•Minimum temp: 32 F, Max: 73.2 F
•If boarding percentage <40%, then low (total:
29) and
•If boarding percentage 40-59%, then medium
(total: 34)
•If boarding percentage >59%, then high
(total:11)
Results
DOA
NANI
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
1
0.8
b
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.4
a
ab
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
<40%,
40-59%
>59%
0
<40%,
-0.2
NAI
>59%
D&D
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
<40%,
-0.2
40-59%
40-59%
>59%
0
<40%,
40-59%
>59%
Result
EOA
1.4
1.2
1
b
0.8
0.6
0.4
a
a
0.2
0
<40%,
-0.2
40-59%
>59%
Conclusion
•DOA highest when boarded highest
•NANI, NAI, D & D did not differ significantly
with boarding percentage
•EOA highest when highly boarded
Thank you
Questions?