Search

The article discusses the study by Centre de developpement du pore du Quebec (Development Centre of Quebec Pork Inc.) of swine barns retrofitted for group-housed gestating sows. Topics included are the investment costs incurred by floor feeding, free-access non-gated stalls and electronic sow feeding systems, the space allocation recommendation for farrow-to-wean facilities, and the management of sow groupings for efficient feeding.

The article discusses rise in prices of swine feed including corn and soybean meal in the U.S. and also offer suggestions for improving feed efficiency in swine. It also mentions factors which influence feed efficiency including feed wastage, water availability and feeder adjustment. It informs that pelleting swine diets improves carcass weight of swine.

The article offers information on the installation of the LaborSaver feeder made from livestock equipment supplier Farmweld Inc. by Chet Mogler, founder of the swine operating firm Pig Hill Co. located in Iowa. It informs that Chet highlights the importance of proper nutrition for management of sow performance and heard health. It further presents brief information on the LaborSaver feeder.

The article discusses a study of commercial hog farm feeders and drinkers by Mike Brumm of Brumm Swine Consultancy. Topics included are the contribution of wet/dry feeders to the efficient use of water in pork production and reduction of manure volume, the manipulation of water pressure for distribution up to the last pans and nipples, and the recommendation of replacement nipples from feeder manufacturers by Kansas State swine nutritionist Mike Tokach.

The article offers brief information on the Farmweld Jumbo Feeder from FarmWeld Inc.

The article offers study findings conducted by Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, which examines how feeder adjustments affected pig performance and feed wastage. The study showed that feeding pigs from feeders with more open feeder setting increased average daily gain and average daily feed intake. The research also depicted that open feeder setting improve feed-to-gain ratio at middle feeder setting than the closed feeder setting.

The article discusses various short-term adjustments to prepare for the long-term survival of a hog operation. The author suggests checking every feeder and examining the economics of adding, through the use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and grinding feed to proper particle size and pricing amino acids. It also recommends disciplining oneself to move to next phase diet when appropriate, work with crop-farming neighbors and reduce market weights.

The article evaluates the Jumbo Feeder by Farmweld and offers information on feeder size, efficiency and features such as the moving feed gate agitation system.