Spring is in full swing across Alberta, and so is farrowing season.
This time of year, hog producers are focused on keeping sows and newborn piglets healthy in a tightly controlled barn environment. It’s a critical window – temperature, airflow, lighting, and access to power all need to work together to support the herd.
As many of us know, spring weather in Alberta is anything but predictable. One week brings warm sun, the next a sudden cold front or windstorm. Throw in an unexpected power outage, and you’ve got real risks – especially when your barn relies on continuous ventilation and heating.
That’s where automation and backup power systems make all the difference.
Instead of reacting to problems as they happen, electrical automation systems allow producers to take proactive measures to avoid them altogether.
By using a mix of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and motorized fans or curtain systems, a barn can respond in real-time to the changing needs of animals inside. Systems can adjust airflow, temperature, and even lighting based on the time of day or environmental conditions, without someone manually tweaking dials or flipping switches.
A great example comes from a recent barn retrofit in Southern Alberta. There, producers upgraded to a Phason AutoFlex Connect climate control system. The result? The barn could now auto-adjust fans, ceiling inlets, and sidewall curtains based on live readings of temperature and humidity. No guesswork. No scrambling when the weather shifts. Just consistent, controlled airflow and energy-efficient performance.
Case study: Ventilation System Upgrade for Leading Hog Producer
This kind of setup doesn’t just improve animal welfare – it reduces utility costs and frees up staff to focus on higher-value work during the busy farrowing season.
Don’t Let a Power Outage Derail Your Season
Smart automation only works if the barn stays powered. In Canada, that’s not something to take for granted – especially in spring, when windstorms or lightning can knock out service for hours.
That’s why integrating a backup power system is essential.
A well-installed generator ensures the ventilation system, heating elements, and automated controls continue to operate even during a blackout. With proper setup, generators can start automatically within seconds of a power disruption, keeping air flowing and conditions stable, without requiring immediate human intervention.
It’s the kind of peace of mind that matters when you’ve got dozens of sows in the middle of farrowing.
Integration Is Where the Real Value Lives
Backup power is just one piece of the puzzle. To really get the most out of your barn systems – especially during the high-stakes spring season – it’s not just about having the right equipment.
It’s about how it all works together.
For producers looking to upgrade their barns, it’s important to think holistically. A typical setup might include:
- Custom electrical design and installation for new builds or retrofits
- PLC and HMI control panels that allow for real-time monitoring and manual override if needed
- Variable frequency drives (VFDs) to optimize fan speed and reduce energy waste
- Backup generator installation and maintenance to ensure resiliency
- Service and support to keep things running smoothly throughout the season
Whether building from the ground up or upgrading an existing system, it pays to work with a partner who understands how all of these components work together, and how to make them easy to use for the team on the ground.
In the case of the Southern Alberta hog producer who upgraded to the Phason system, the improvements were immediate. They kept much of their existing infrastructure – ventilation fans, sidewall curtains – but brought in automation that allowed the barn to adapt automatically as the weather changed.
By offloading the constant manual adjustments to a smart system, they reduced energy consumption, stabilized the environment for their animals, and streamlined day-to-day operations during one of their busiest times of year.
It didn’t just improve conditions, it gave the producer more confidence heading into every farrowing cycle.
For producers managing farrowing barns in Alberta, automation and backup power aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re the systems that keep your animals safe, your team focused, and your barn running smoothly no matter what comes down the forecast.
Whether you’re building new or looking to retrofit your existing setup, now is the time to think smart about power, control, and continuity. Because when everything runs right behind the scenes, it shows up in healthier litters, lower costs, and less stress all around.
