Purdue invention to improve sows and boars welfare licensed to IHT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., and WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Purdue University licensed a patented invention to IHT Group (Innovative Heating Technologies) for testing and commercialization. This invention aims to improve welfare, cool sows, and lower their respiration rate while farrowing.

Chris Grant, President of IHT Group, highlighted the company’s 25 years of experience producing energy-efficient equipment for the agricultural industry. He said licensing the sow cooling pads is a perfect fit and the next logical step for the company.

“Our primary focus is working with pork producers in a very narrow application: We manufacture the most energy-efficient heat mat for farrowing and nursery applications,” Grant said. Therefore, introducing a cooling product designed to reduce stress and improve animal welfare “directly complements our existing business.”

The scientists behind the invention

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, developed the cooling pads. These pads are 2-foot-by-4-foot aluminum tread plates with copper pipes circulating water beneath them.

In fact, the pad accommodates only the sow, leaving piglets that need warmth off the edge while they feed. Specifically, these sensors detect overheating sows, prompting water circulation to cool them.

Since there is only room for the sow on the pad, piglets that need to stay warm are off the edge while they feed. Sensors in the pad can determine if the sow is getting too hot and circulate new water, cooling the pad again.

Schinckel, Stwalley and their students have published several peer-reviewed papers on sow lactation heat production, feed intake and the technology in journals including Applied Engineering in Agriculture, Journal of Animal Science, The Professional Animal Scientist and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

For example, “These papers show our design’s efficient heat removal,” Schinckel said. “Recent data demonstrate cooling pads increase piglet weaning weights.”

The research done

A selection of papers can be found at these links:

• 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

Furthermore, Grant said IHT Group will beta test the pads through partnered research trials at Purdue and select producers’ test facilities.

“Producers and veterinarians have prioritized conversations on heat stress and sow cooling. They are eager to implement new technology related to animal welfare,” Grant said.

He also noted that IHT Group “is looking forward to participating in continued research with Purdue and have set a goal to introduce a commercial-ready cooling pad into hog facilities as soon as possible.”

In addition, Grant mentioned changes in the hog market, with producers driven to adopt and integrate new technologies related to improving sustainability and animal welfare. “When the sow cooling pads are tested, our main goal will be to verify the efficiency and performance of the pads and the impact they have on the sows’ welfare and performance over time,” Grant said. “This is the data our customers will want to see.”

In fact, Schinckel and Stwalley’s research received funding from a Purdue AgSEED grant, a Trask Innovation Fund grant, a National Pork Board Student Research or Extension Experience grant, and the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. This office supports Purdue University’s economic development initiatives and benefits the university’s academic activities by commercializing, licensing, and protecting Purdue intellectual property.

The office is housed in the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration in the Discovery Park District at Purdue, adjacent to the Purdue campus. In fiscal year 2020, the office reported 148 deals finalized with 225 technologies signed, 408 disclosures received, and 180 issued U.S. patents. The Purdue Research Foundation manages the office, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.

About IHT Group 

Innovative Heating Technologies is committed to providing energy-efficient heating and lighting solutions for a wide range of agricultural and commercial applications. We care about animal health, welfare and offering reliable equipment manufactured to save our customers time on maintenance and money on their electric bills. With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing equipment for the agricultural industry, IHT is committed to researching new innovative technologies and providing reliable customer support.

Writer: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Chris Grant, chrisgrant@ihtech.ca

Allan Schinckel, aschinck@purdue.edu