4800 Head Swine Grow-to-Finish Facility

This 4800-head swine grow-to-finish facility is designed for optimized pork production through advanced automation and environmental control. The automated sorting scales, integrated with the Maximus master controller, weigh pigs and sort them based on customizable weight ranges (e.g., market-ready hogs typically 250–300 lbs) to ensure precise ration delivery, enhancing feed efficiency (targeting feed conversion ratios of ~2.5–3.0). The system selects pigs within a specified weight range (e.g., ±5 lbs of target) and directs them to a loadout pen, reducing labor by up to 50% during market transfers, with sorting accuracy exceeding 95%. The loadout pen facilitates seamless transfer to transport trucks, supporting up to 200 pigs per load.

The ventilation system combines chimney pit fans for minimum ventilation (0.05–0.1 CFM/lb during early stages) and Better Air sidewall fans for later growth phases (up to 1.5 CFM/lb for finishing pigs), maintaining air quality (CO2 < 3000 ppm, NH3 < 25 ppm) and temperature (68–77°F). The Maximus controller, paired with Envirotech-designed control cabinets, monitors and adjusts ventilation, temperature, humidity, and other parameters in real time, with a response time of <1 minute to environmental changes. The system supports remote access via smartphone or tablet, with data logging for performance analysis (e.g., daily gain tracking of 1.8–2.2 lbs).

Heating is provided by hot water fin pipe systems, delivering consistent barn temperatures (up to 80,000 BTU/hr capacity), reducing energy costs by 15–20% compared to traditional gas heaters. Stainless steel gating, constructed from 304-grade steel, ensures durability and corrosion resistance, with pen designs optimizing space (8–10 sq ft per pig) and animal flow to minimize stress. The facility’s biosecurity features, managed by the Maximus system, include segregation barriers and flow management to reduce pathogen risks, achieving a <2% disease-related mortality rate.