Heat stress in pigs costs the U.S. swine industry an estimated $481 million annually in revenue losses. HotHog, a new smartphone app that predicts heat stress in pigs is now available from USDA’s Agriculture Research Service. HotHog is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Hogs don’t sweat. They cope with heat through panting, while the caregivers adjust ventilation rates, utilize sprinklers, and ensure free access to abundant, cool water for the animals to drink.”
Source: USDA, ARS, June 15, 2023. Link. Swine producers can then use this information to take pre-emptive measures, like ensuring plenty of drinking water, cooling the pigs with fans or mists, and limiting transport to early morning hours.