35.069 Swine Production Management

1. 35.069Swine Production & Management

2. 35.069Swine Production & Management

3. Handling Swine Understand behavioral characteristics of pigs for easy handling Pigs angle vision is >300 degrees able to see behind them without turning their heads Pigs are sensitive to sharp contrasts in light and dark Pigs will balk or be reluctant to move if encounter shades puddles bright spots change in flooring type or texture metal grates flapping objects

4. Moving Hogs Loading from inside a building Line hogs single file or in pairs before going outside Lights inside a building or truck will attracts them tendency to move from a darker to a bright area Pigs stops at solid barriers placed in front of them Use a small portable panel to efficiently move and sort them wood, plastic or light aluminum block the hog�s view prevents hogs from going in to the wrong direction Sorting panels should be the same wide of the alley or shute (minus an inch) and 36-42 inches high

5. Moving Hogs Alleys should have solid sides and gradual corners open sides distract hogs blind corners confuse them Loading shutes are usually wide enough for one hog work better if they are wider for two hogs to walk side by side Squeeze pen located between the alley and the shute or truck makes loading easier should hold 10 to 20 hogs circular design is preferred

6. Herdsmanship Know where to tap a hog to direct it�s motion Moving the hog forward tap him with your hand on top of it�s back just in front of its tail use a firm tap, but don�t hit the pig - a �love tap� To turn the hog direction tap should be placed just behind the hog�s ear to turn left tap behind the hog�s right ear to turn right tap behind the hog�s left ear Hollering is very useful not screaming, not cursing�hollering �hey� or �whew� hogs don�t like it when humans holler

7. Hazards in Animal Housing Air Pollutants in Animal Housing Dust and Other Aerosols Ammonia Hydrogen Sulfide Other Gases Odors Air Quality Control and Management Mechanical Hazards Electrical Hazards Noise Fire Children in Buildings Safety Signs

8. Air Pollutants in Animal Housing Dust and Other Aerosols Dust found in animal housing is primarily composed of: Feed components Dry fecal material Dander (hair and skin cells) Molds Pollen Grains Insect parts Mineral ash some components may cause allergic responses an important air quality problem in poultry and livestock housing

9. Dust Control Proper waste management and ventilation Minimize poor indoor quality - animals and workers workers are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when entering these facilities particularly mask or respirators Several methods of reducing dust are under evaluation Wet , electrostatic, cyclonic and dry dust filters Oil sprays spraying vegetable oil bind up the dust particles and keep them out of suspension

10. Oil Sprinkling Oil concentration in the oil-water mixture - should be > 20% Droplet sizes should be > 150 �m (microns) to achieve rapid deposition of droplets on available surface Things to considered when choosing a vegetable oil (VO) It is not necessary to use refined VO oil should be free of particles VO with strong odor are not suitable potential effect of the oil affects animal behavior Use VO with low iodine value in respect to the risk of self-ignition Dust binding effect of oil remains for many days consider designing spraying strategies accordingly

11. Results of Oil Sprinkling Several methods for reduction of aerial dust in pig houses have been examined over the last 20 years To date the most promising method appears to be Oil Sprinkling Sprinkling undiluted Canola Oil in a grower-finisher room Reduced dust by 79% Respirable dust particle - reduced by 73% Inhalable dust particle - reduced by 80%

12. Ammonia ( NH3 ) Ammonia is produced by bacterial action on urine and feces during decomposition Comes off of the floors and from the manure pits Levels in animal buildings can be sufficiently high to affect human health Ammonia control Frequent removal of waste Management of indoor moisture Adequate ventilation ventilation dilutes ammonia concentration and tends to dry floors and litter reduces the rate of ammonia release

13. Hydrogen Sulfide ( HS ) Is an acutely toxic gas produced by the decomposition of animal manure Often released into the air when liquid manure is agitated Its odor is not an indication of its concentration Above 6 ppm the odor increases as concentration also increases The OSHA limits exposure to 10 ppm for an 8 hour, 5 day exposure At levels above 50 ppm human evacuation is recommended Levels increase to 1500 ppm when swine pit manure is agitated Levels above 500 ppm cause unconsciousness and death

14. Hydrogen Sulfide ( HS )(continued) Workers should wear a self contained respirator if exposure to HS is expected Hazards created during manure agitation can be controlled by: Providing ventilation during manure pumping Removing the manure Preferable when people and animals are absent from the building

15. Other Gases Methane ( CH4 ) A natural product of manure decomposition nontoxic High concentrations produces dizziness and even asphyxiation Flammability of methane: Main Safety Concern CH4 can be explosive at concentrations over 50,000 ppm valuable as an energy source NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) recommended Daily exposure 1,000 ppm per 8 hour work period Control: proper ventilation generally dissipates methane from animal housings

16. Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) Produced by manure decomposition and animal respiration nontoxic gas High concentrations can cause asphyxiation by reducing available oxygen Concentrations in well ventilated buildings can range 1,000 ppm during summer 10,000 ppm during winter OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) permissible exposure level for CO2 10,000 and 30,000 ppm respectively per 8 hour and 15 minutes work period Control proper ventilation CO2 control is important in cold climates

17. Carbon Monoxide ( CO ) Product of the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons its colorless, odorless, and has nearly the same density as air CO hazards in animal production operations caused by combustion heaters malfunction operational heaters or internal combustion engines without venting the combustion products outdoors Winter: Most dangerous period buildings are usually closed and ventilation rates are at its lowest OSHA and NIOSH recommended threshold limit values 40mg/m3 or 35 ppm for an 8 hour work period Control combustion heaters and engines should always be vented to the outside

18. Odors Air Quality Control and Management Unpleasant odors have long been associated with domestic animal production Installation and operation of a well-designed ventilation system is the producer�s best assurance of adequate indoor quality provides thorough air mixing eliminates dead spaces having stagnant air moves fresh air through the housing facility Ventilation vents should open enough to provide high velocity jets to ensure thorough air mixing Summer months evaporative cooling is needed using misting systems to reduce the indoor air temperature Winter moths supplemental mixing fans are needed because ventilation rates are reduced to a minimum

19. Air Quality Control and Management(continued) Prevention and early detection of toxic gas levels reduces health risks installs CO detectors near combustion heaters the heater should be vented to the outside clean the heater thoroughly at the beginning of each heating season while in use, monitor the heaters daily to ensure that they burn efficiently and produce minimal levels of CO Use extreme caution during manure removal manure slurries will release hydrogen sulfide: �rotten eggs� cause for concern HS can quickly inure the sense of smell as concentrations increase and become deadly Control dusts during cold weather, use feed additives (oil, fat, and lecithin) to help reduce dust emission from feed meals.

20. Mechanical Hazards Fans unguarded fans are dangerous, must have guards or screens so people cannot touch any moving parts Winches workers operating winches must be careful to avoid releasing the winch before the object is fully raised or lowered accidentally striking a winch under tension can cause it to release Augers must be properly guarded before any maintenance the equipment must be unplugged, or switch off at the control and breaker box Steel Cables worn or frayed could produce gashes and puncture wounds on hands wear a sturdy pair of work gloves to prevent these wounds Housing Floors can be slippery and obstructed by equipment and railings use a good pair of work boots to prevent falls and foot injuries

21. Electrical Hazards Due to faulty electrical wiring Risk of shock Potential for fire Destruction of good equipment motors and pumps Use wiring practices that protects electrical cable and system components from abuse by livestock and rodents avoid exposure to tractors and feeding equipment Appropriate design and reliable installation of electrical systems are crucial to use electricity efficiently provide a safe environment for workers and animals minimize the potential for fire loss

22. Noise Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB) Soft whisper is about 30 dB while a 120 dB will cause pain OSHA limits noise exposure to ~ 90 dB over an 8 hour shift Tractors and other farm machinery cause the most noise in livestock housing - animals and machinery produce significant noise swine buildings - at feeding time 115 dB can be reached

23. Fire Factors that facilitate fire in livestock buildings Poor management and maintenance, improper storage of combustibles, unsafe electrical wiring and lightning Reduce fire incidents Construct building with fire retardant materials Combustibles - discard from building those not frequently used stored frequently used in a fire retardant compartment Use wiring material and equipment meeting the requirements of the National Electric Code Electrical equipment should be installed according to manufacturer�s specifications All electrical equipment (fuses, junctions, and outlet boxes) should be kept free of grease and dust Place 10 lb ABC type fire extinguishers in all major buildings near exits

24. Children in Buildings Animal production facilities are attractive playground to children Because of their complexity and potential for danger no one should treat animal production facilities as play areas lack of experience makes children vulnerable to injuries in agricultural environments young children visiting these facilities should be supervised by trained production personnel older children should be allowed to work in these environments providing adequate training and with parental supervision

25. Safety SignsClassified according to the use hazards and risk involved

26. Personal Protective Equipment

27. Head Protection: Hard hats from impacts or flying or falling objects machinery maintenance construction (electrical work, demolition) horse back riding enclosed spaces with low ceilings chemical splashes Eye Safety: Safety glasses, goggles, face shields when handling or applying pesticides when working in dust, chaff or other flying particles when working around trees particularly under low-hanging branches

28. Hearing Protection: Earmuffs and Ear plugs from noise produced from farm machinery and hogs tractors, combines, augers, blowers, chainsaws hogs screaming at feeding time Sound - measured in decibels (dB): 85 dB is the loudest sound workers should be exposed to for 8 hours or more. Examples: Normal conversation 60 dB John Deer Tractor 8560 tractor 76 dB Massey Ferguson 750 combine 90 dB Swine confinement at feeding 133 dB Reduce indoor noise levels install low noise fans, rubber fan mounts use automated feeding systems reduce animal produced noise by feeding all the animals at once Wear protective equipment disposable foam or reusable rubber earplugs hearing protector earmuffs

29. Respiratory Protection: Masks and Respirators From dust and chaff Toxic gases and chemicals Welding fumes and low oxygen atmospheres Silos and animal confinements large livestock waste and manure dust Effective respiratory hazard control in animal housings Use NIOSH approved respiratory protection appropriate for the situation Implement a respiratory control program that includes evaluation of worker�s ability to work with the respirator regular training of personnel routinely monitoring air quality selection of appropriate NIOSH approved respirators respirator fit testing medical evaluations maintenance, cleaning and storage of respirators

30. Respirators used in animal housing facilities Disposable dust / mist masks Reusable dust / mist masks Chemical cartridge respirators which can include particulate matter prefilters Powered air-purifying respirators provide eye protection as well Self-contain respirators for dangerous gases - hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide

31. Hand Protection: Gloves - fabric, leather, rubber, cut resistant fabric: protects from minor cuts and scrapes inexpensive could be laundered to extend its life leather: best choice for protection, cuts, scrapes, friction inexpensive, breathable, tough and flexible treat with leather care product to extend its life rubber: protects from the use of chemicals choose the appropriate rubber glove for the task while still on, wash with warm water and soap, hang to dry cut resistant: protects from handling glass and sharp objects

32. Body Covering: Aprons (leather and rubber), chemical resistant coveralls and chainsaw safety chaps leather aprons: used when welding protects from burns from splattering molten metals and slag rubber aprons: needed when handling liquids or concentrated chemicals protects the groin area from chemical splashes this area absorbs chemical 10x faster than through the forearm chemical resistant coveralls: excellent protection from pesticide dusts and mists chainsaw safety chaps: minimize the risk of cutting the legs when handling square bales reduce scratches and scrapes on the legs

33. Foot Protection: Steel toe safety shoes and boots (rubber or leather) with puncture resistant soles from sharp objects dropped heavy objects heavy livestock stepping on your feet chemical hazards (steel toe safety rubber boots) First Aid (FA) : all vehicles and buildings should have a first aid kit get appropriate first aid training in your FA kit include emergency numbers check FA kit content every three months label all FA kits include flares and flash light in your FA kit emergency signals -extra help

34. What to pack in your first aid kit?

35. CSA approved safety equipment could be purchase at: