February 21, 2018
Pork producers can learn more about ventilation of hog buildings from the inside out through a series of free workshops in March.
Iowa Pork Industry Center joins Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in offering “Managing Your Unseen Employee: The Ventilation System.” The workshops will be held at six different Iowa locations.
IPIC swine specialist Colin Johnson says this daylong workshop provides a two-pronged approach to understanding issues and consequences of decisions by combining classroom instruction with hands-on trials and application of knowledge gained in a real-world setting.
“Producers often question the efficiencies of their systems and are challenged seasonally in adjusting air exchange rates and the ventilation components within their barns,” Johnson says. “Iowa’s climate can provide a challenge, but we aim to equip producers with the knowledge to make the best use of both their heating and cooling mechanisms within a given barn.”
Learn basics of ventilation
The classroom sessions include the basics of ventilation systems, effective temperature requirements, troubleshooting tools and techniques. Producers will learn how to optimally ventilate their barns while keeping pigs of varying growth stages healthy and productive.
Following the classroom learning segments, Johnson says attendees will see the impacts that design, maintenance and management can have on various ventilation practices through use of Iowa State’s 24-foot mobile Swine Ventilation Trailer.