Stochastic assessment of evaporative misting for growing-finishing swine in Kentucky

Pig growth was simulated for a naturally ventilated growing-finishing swine facility with and without an evaporative misting system. Forty-two years of weather data for summertime conditions in central Kentucky were used to determine the simulated environment. Use of evaporative misting was found to reduce the length of a summer growth cycle by an average of 14.1 days and feed consumption by an average of 17.7 kg (39 lb) for the 42-year period. Average daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio were also improved. The economic benefit to the producer, in terms of feed savings, ranged from $800 to $2,964 (coolest year to warmest year) with an average of $1,700/year for the period of record. The results also indicated a high probability that a misting system would return the initial investment within a single average year, based on feed savings alone.