Heat and Moisture Production of Growing-Finishing Gilts as Affected by Environmental Temperature

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2011-08-01
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Brown-Brandl, Tami
Nienaber, John
Eigenberg, Roger
Xin, Hongwei
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Xin, Hongwei
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.

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In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.

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1905–present

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  • Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)

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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Heat and moisture production (HMP) values are used to size ventilation fans in animal housing. The HMP values that are currently published in the ASABE standards were from data collected in the early 1950s. This study is one of a series of studies being conducted to update the HMP values for the ASABE and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) Standards. This study focused on the HMP measurements on growing gilts in the weight range of 60 to 120 kg over a temperature range of 16 to 32°C. Thirty gilts selected on the basis of weight and health status were placed in one of five environmental chambers and in one of six pens in each chamber. Heat production rate (HP) was determined using indirect calorimetry methods after the animals were acclimated for 2 weeks to a particular temperature. Each measurement was made on an individual animal over a 21-hr period. It was determined that HP decreased, feed intake decreased, and moisture production (MP) increased as environmental temperature increased. HP was directly affected by the level of feed consumption. Dynamic measurements showed a diurnal HP pattern in that it was higher during light period than during dark period, with an immediate increase as the lights were turned on. Results on nursery age animals will be reported in a companion study.

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This is an ASABE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 1111183.

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Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2011