Analyzing and Modeling Environmental and Production Variables in Weaned Piglet Farms

Environmental variables and animal activity were analyzed to improve environmental control systems in conventional post weaning livestock buildings. Post weaning is a very sensitive phase in the rearing of piglets from 5 to 20 kg, mainly influenced by separation from the sow, mixing of litters and changes in diet or environment. For this reason, environmental requirements are Prime Archives in Agricultural Research 2 www.videleaf.com strict and changing. To achieve these requirements, livestock buildings have ventilation and heating systems, usually regulated by temperature-based controls. In addition to temperature, other important environmental variables include relative humidity, CO2 and NH3 concentrations. Other variables that characterize the state of the animal, such as animal activity, should be added to the environmental variables in order that indoor climate and animal behavior may serve as the basis for new environmental control strategies. Such strategies should contribute to achieving maximum performance with the lowest possible use of resources, while focusing on animal welfare and production efficiency.