A literature review of swine heat production

Current ASAE standards of heat and moisture production (HP, MP) for swine are primarily based on data collected nearly four decades ago. Feedstuffs, management practices, growth rate, and lean percentage of swine have changed HP and MP considerably in that time period. Literature data shows that lean percent increased 1.55% in the last 10 years, resulting in an increase in HP by approximately 15%. Data were compiled into two categories: prior to 1988, and 1988 to present. Analysis of this data revealed that HP increased 12.4% to 35.3% between the two categories, with the largest differences occurring at higher temperatures. The results also revealed lack of HP and MP data for greater than 90 kg pigs. The HP and MP standards for design of swine housing systems should be updated.