Purdue invention to improve health and welfare of farrowing sows licensed to IHT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., and WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A groundbreaking Purdue University invention that cools sows and reduces their respiration rates during farrowing has been licensed to Innovative Heating Technologies (IHT) for beta testing and commercialization. This development marks a significant advancement in the swine industry, offering enhanced animal welfare and efficiency.

Chris Grant, President of Innovative Heating Technologies, emphasized the synergy between the company’s long-standing experience in energy-efficient agricultural equipment and the new sow cooling pads. “For over 27 years, we have focused on providing the most energy-efficient heat mats for farrowing and nursery applications. Adding a cooling product that reduces stress and improves animal welfare is the next logical step,” Grant stated.

Innovative Sow Cooling Pads: A New Era in Swine Welfare

The cooling pads, designed by Allan Schinckel, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Robert Stwalley, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University, represent a significant innovation in swine welfare. These 2-foot-by-4-foot aluminum tread plates, mounted on aluminum pipes that circulate water, are engineered to cool the sow while keeping piglets warm. The pad’s sensors monitor the sow’s temperature, ensuring optimal cooling by circulating water as needed.

Schinckel and Stwalley and their students have published numerous peer-reviewed papers on sow lactation heat production, feed intake, and cooling technology. These papers, featured in journals such as Applied Engineering in Agriculture, Journal of Animal Science, The Professional Animal Scientist, and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, provide solid scientific backing for the effectiveness of the cooling pads.

“Our research demonstrates the efficiency of our design in removing heat,” Schinckel said. “We’ve also published data showing that the cooling pads significantly increase piglet weaning weights in high-temperature conditions.”

For those interested in the technical details, a selection of these papers is available:

• Effect of floor cooling on late lactation sows under acute heat stress
• Initial evaluation of floor cooling on lactating sows under acute heat stress
• Thermal capacity of hog-cooling pad
• Electronically controlled cooling pads can improve litter growth performance and indirect measures of milk production in heat-stressed lactating sows

Beta Testing and Future Commercialization

Innovative Heating Technologies plans to beta-test the cooling pads in partnership with Purdue and selected producers’ test facilities. Grant highlighted the importance of ongoing research in optimizing the pads for commercial use. “The swine industry is evolving, with producers increasingly focused on sustainability and animal welfare. We’re excited to collaborate with Purdue and aim to introduce a commercial-ready cooling pad into hog facilities as soon as possible.”

Grant also noted the changing dynamics of the hog market, where integrating new technologies is critical to improving sustainability and welfare. “When we test the sow cooling pads, our primary goal will be to confirm their efficiency and assess their long-term impact on sow welfare and performance. This data is crucial for our customers,” he added.

Research and Development Backed by Significant Funding

Several grants, including the Purdue AgSEED grant, Trask Innovation Fund grant, National Pork Board Student Research or Extension Experience grant, and the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network, have supported the research behind the sow cooling pads.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization is a leader in technology transfer among U.S. research universities. This office supports Purdue University’s economic development initiatives by commercializing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. In fiscal year 2020, the office finalized 148 deals, signed 225 technologies, and received 180 issued U.S. patents. The Purdue Research Foundation, recognized by IPWatchdog Institute as a top entity for startup creation and patents, manages the office. For more information, contact otcip@prf.org.

About Innovative Heating Technologies

Innovative Heating Technologies specializes in energy-efficient heating and lighting solutions for agriculture and commercial use. With over 27 years of experience, IHT is committed to advancing animal welfare through reliable, low-maintenance equipment that reduces energy costs. The company continually invests in research and innovation to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural industry.