BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – Temperatures in the 90s this week in the Northern Plains could cause heat stress in hogs. SDSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Bob (taller) Thaler says the rapid change in temperature and the backlog of pork processing will create some challenges.

He says pork producers need to make sure their sprinkling systems and ventilators are working properly and that there aren’t any loose belts that could lead to a tragic situation.

Thaler says they have an important tool producers can access at the SDSU Extension website that outlines when heat stress is likely to occur.

Thaler says because pork producers are dealing with more animals that are bunched together, that creates more challenges for dealing with the heat.