Gerald Bodman University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

Proper design and installation of swine facility electrical systems are crucial to using electricity efficiently, providing safety for workers and animals, and minimizing potential fire loss. A majority of all farm fire losses are related to electrical system failure (Figure 1). Many wiring practices that are acceptable for use in our homes are unsafe when used in livestock housing because of exposure to dust, moisture, corrosive gases, and physical damage. Inferior wiring causes hazardous conditions for livestock and humans, expense of early rewiring of many buildings, and possible fires. Even when fires do not occur, poor wiring may contribute to higher maintenance costs. The mere fact that a system works doesnt speak for its safety. Special wiring methods and components are needed for swine structures.

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

Since the early 1970’s, the swine industry has continued to move toward specialization, mechanization, and enclosed housing for rearing of livestock. One aspect of this specialization is housing systems designed to raise animals with less labor in a more controlled environment that includes automatically controlled ventilation, liquid or slurry manure handling, and feed handling. These systems impose new environmental management requirements related to the health and productivity of both people and livestock. Proper environmental management is essential to ensure realization of the animal health and performance advantages of housing systems compared to pasture or open lot systems. Advantages of properly designed and managed systems include lower mortality, reduced morbidity, and better feed conversion efficiency with minimal degradation of the outdoor and working environments.