Abstract
The economics of investing in a misting-cooling system for growing-finishing swine [20-107 kg, (44-236 lb)] were evaluated for central Kentucky summer environments using the NC-204 swine growth model (Bridges et al., 1992a,b; Usry et al., 1992). The economic returns to misting were compared for different weather years (1995 and 1983) and two initial starting dates of 15 June and 5 July. The results of the simulation model found that for all instances the use of a misting-cooling system reduced the time of growth to market and produced a pig with less backfat. Depending on the potential for evaporative cooling in the weather year and the starting date in the facility, the economic returns for the misting-cooling system varied from $0.49 per pig in 1995 to $3.40 per pig in 1983.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 425-430 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Applied Engineering in Agriculture |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Jul 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cooling
- Misting
- Simulation
- Sprinkling
- Swine Growth Model
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering