Transporting pigs poses a significant challenge in maintaining proper interior thermal conditions. This study conducted 36 field trials run in Denmark and collected data from a certified livestock vehicle, during journeys of 8 h and 23 h respectively. This study aims to investigate the air temperature inside a livestock vehicle during the transportation and the influence of five factors on DT (difference in air temperature between interior of the vehicle and exterior): compartment location, deck height, height of openings for natural ventilation, wind speed and vehicle speed. The compartment location was the most important influencing factor of interior air temperature. The maximum percentage of time when air temperature exceeded 30 °C was 13.6% observed in the front compartment of trailer. The maximum difference in mean DT between the front and rear compartments at the same deck was 11.0 ± 0.67 °C occurred in the lorry. The maximum differences in mean DT between the two investigated deck heights were 1.2 ± 0.39 °C in the lorry (70 vs. 90 cm) and 0.9 ± 0.26 °C in the trailer (60 vs. 80 cm), respectively. The DT decreased with increasing height of opening for natural ventilation and wind speed, while the DT was insensitive to vehicle speed. Extra sensors installed on the front partition wall during the last 4 journeys showed significant temperature variability (up to 12 °C) within compartment. Further studies identifying the efficient monitoring of thermal condition and prompt interior environmental control are needed in vehicles for pig transport.

A novel intelligent wet feed system was designed to accurately match the dynamic nutritional requirements of lactating sows. An experimental study was conducted to compare the performance of this novel feeding system with the traditional manual feeding method. Twenty-two first-parity sows selected through screening were randomly divided into intelligent feeding and manual feeding groups. Feed intake and backfat thickness changes during lactation were monitored, and the growth performance of 30 piglets was assessed. The effects of feeding methods on feed intake, backfat thickness, and piglet growth were evaluated. Results showed that the intelligent group increased the feed intake under high feeding conditions, with feed conversion efficiency improved by 21.8%. A backfat conservation effect was observed, with backfat loss reduced by 82.5% and the daily loss rate being only 16.6% of that in the manual group. Piglet growth performance was improved, with the peak growth rate increased by 14.2% and the growth inflection point brought forward by 10.6%, both reaching medium to large effect sizes. The results indicate that the intelligent wet feeding system improved feed conversion efficiency in sows under high feeding conditions, reduced backfat loss, and enhanced piglet growth rates. These findings provide references for the application of intelligent feeding technology and offer technical pathways for intelligent and efficient pig farming.