The National Pork Board wants to help producers keep their livestock safe this winter.
Stephanie Wisdom, director of animal welfare at the National Pork Board, says that with cold winter weather approaching, now is a great time to review safety tips for when farmers will be transporting pigs over the next several months. Wisdom says producers and drivers need to consider air temperature, bedding quality and time on the road for the welfare of pigs. She explains that the first thing drivers can do is follow Transport Quality Assurance guidelines and make sure the truck is completely dry.
?Based on the current weather conditions, not weather further down the road or later in the day, but current weather conditions. So, the bedding is going to keep the pigs from coming in direct contact with the cold metal of the trailer, aids in that moisture control and keeping our pigs dry, and it’s going to help provide footing for both the driver and the pigs.?
A National Pork Board suggestion when moving pigs is to load less pigs to give them room to move away from the cold side of the trailer. Wisdom talks about the different signs pigs can show when experiencing cold stress.
?This is going to include pigs with blotchy or red skin or pigs that are reluctant to move and are just cold to the touch. So, we’re going to want to make sure that we’re getting these pigs, like we said bedded and boarded properly, but also get them transported quickly and into a warm barn as quickly as we can.?
Wisdom also stresses personal winter safety to both producers and transporters.
?Finally, making sure that you’re keeping yourself safe. We talk about animal welfare quite a bit, especially when we’re thinking about We Care, but our people is also an important part of the care, so making sure that you’re keeping yourself and your employees safe here in winter, making sure you have winter supplies available and emergency kits.?
More information on transportation and barn management can be found at porkcheckoff.org.
