HotHog

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by researchers at the USDA, University of Illinois, and Purdue University, HotHog is a decision support tool for swine management. The system generates hourly and daily predictions of thermal comfort and stress for sows based on geographic location and weather data. Its interface presents a multi-level thermal index (cool to severe heat stress) tailored to non-pregnant, mid-, and late-gestation stages. The application also provides corresponding management mitigation options and expected physiological and behavioral changes for each stress category.

Evidence & Research Context

• The app's decision support tool is based on published research that characterized the physiological and behavioral thermal responses of gestating and non-pregnant sows.
• The underlying model integrates gestation-stage-specific heat stress thresholds; the mild heat stress inflection point occurs at 25.5°C, 25.1°C, and 24.0°C for non-pregnant, mid-gestation, and late-gestation sows, respectively.
• Moderate heat stress thresholds, identified by body temperature inflection points, also differ significantly by gestation stage (28.1°C, 27.8°C, and 25.5°C).
• The associated research established that dewpoint influences heat stress responses for mid- and late-gestation sows, a factor integrated into the tool's predictions.

Intended Use & Scope

HotHog is designed for swine producers, livestock technicians, and educators as a decision support tool for environmental management. Its primary utility is to facilitate proactive planning and implementation of heat stress mitigation strategies. The tool provides predictive guidance and does not replace direct animal observation or professional veterinary consultation for assessing individual animal health and welfare.