Sprinkling pigs on-farm, before transport and unloading at the packing plant improve meat quality and pig comfort when it is over 20°C outside. There are no current guidelines on when to sprinkle pigs in hot temperatures. If temperatures are above 30°C, pigs can no longer maintain constant body temperature and may die from hyperthermia. Often the temperature in transport trucks in up to 6°C hotter than outside so it is beneficial to sprinkle the pigs with water to help them cool down. Lower lactate levels were found in the pigs transported with a sprinkler in the trailer. The pigs were less stressed and a better quality of meat was delivered. Sprinkling may help alleviate heat stress in transport and does not increase slipping and falling while unloading.
Effectiveness of Sprinkling During Transport (full article)
