Year: 2020

The year 2020 has been anything but normal.  I think we can all agree that the hog and pork markets are as volatile as ever!  In recent years, this industry has undergone PEDV, African Swine Fever, and now Covid-19.  All of the market ups and downs isn’t for the faint of heart. Big Stone Marketing…

We all share a concern for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and its impact on human medicine, veterinary medicine, and global society. As veterinarians, our first instinct is to correct the problem!  As scientists, we want data to help craft the plan.  As a mother (and as a human being in general), I (and others) want to…

The bare minimum to meet this requirement is to have a Vet physically on site one time per year and to have written scripts for all prescription products on site. If this is the only interaction you are having with a Veterinarian, consider getting value for your operation with more veterinarian interaction. Questions to ask…

For most pork producers, 2020 has not been a year of profitability. Without government program payments and a short-term spike in cut-out prices in May, the red ink has been steadily flowing. During these unfavorable economic times, your business uses the working capital you’ve created in the good times. Working capital measures whether you have…

As Covid-19 brought financial stress and uncertainty to many households, Pipestone launched into action for our farmers and communities. Pipestone’s MEAT the Need campaign ran May through September and brought pork contributions to food pantry agencies in the Midwest. The combined inputs of Pipestone and contributing partners resulted in raising $372,000 which our team turned…

As an industry, we have set guidelines for ourselves through the PQA program on what responsible antibiotic use looks like. If your interaction with those principals has been limited to passing the PQA quiz, today is a good day to think about how your antibiotic use fits into a responsible model. Do you work with…

As the harvest season approaches, fall field work and manure application will follow closely thereafter. During the manure removal process, our primary objective is to elevate the ventilation in your barns and keep you and your livestock safe and comfortable. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate and reach out to a Pipestone Management…

Mastitis can be a real pain in the udder, especially during the summer months.  When the weather turns hot and humid it gives the mastitis causing pathogens the needed environment to grow.  Hot and humid weather also adds stress to the cow which leads to a decreased immune function.  You put a better growing environment…

It’s that time of year again.  Temperatures are rising and the air is heavy enough you can cut it with a knife.  Although this weather is for growing crops, it means different things for your cattle operation. Whether in beef or dairy, producers need to understand heat stress and ways to help mitigate its effects.…

While the summer workload changes for the average cow/calf operation, there is still opportunity to make significant health and performance decisions that will make a difference to the bottom line. Most importantly, take the time to monitor both the health of the cattle and pasture, as well as performance of growing calves. Fly Control While…

In commodity production, high prices are the result of more demand than supply. In the past 20 years, the pork industry has been fortunate to increase demand through exports. More demand than supply results in high prices and creates profitability that attracts financial capital.  As capital rushes to the higher rates of return, pork producers…

PIPESTONE is excited to announce their sponsorship of the new agriculture-themed exhibits on the new “Grow It!” floor at the Washington Pavilion Kirby Science Center in Sioux Falls, SD. “Grow It!” features 3,000 square feet of new agriculture-themed exhibits as part of the center’s third floor dedicated to the state of South Dakota. “Grow It!”…

Ag Forte Pro has been proven to improve sanitation and bio-security of pig barns and livestock transport trucks, while being safe and easy to use. It eliminates irritation to nose, eyes and skin, as well as reduces wash time and water use. COVID-19 has brought biosecurity and disinfecting to the top of everyone’s minds; a…

Jo and Steve Weets are proud pet parents of Lucky and Libby. Lucky (right) is a 9-year-old male Dachshund and Libby (left) is an 8-year-old female Yorkie-Pom. How long have you had your dogs?  We have had Lucky since May 15, 2013.  He was brought into the Sheriff by a land surveyor who had found…

With all of the craziness that 2020 has brought to your life, let me take a minute to remind you of the routine pet care that we cannot let lapse. The routine care I am talking about is the annual heartworm test and prevention! The weather is warming up and bugs are out! Soon, we…

Independence Day brings may fun things – BBQ’s, swimming, get-togethers, and fireworks. Who doesn’t like huge balls of fire that light up the sky with fun colors and shapes and make loud noises! Unfortunately, a lot of animals don’t think that is as fun as most people do. But why?   There are 4 main…

COVID-19 and its impact can be overwhelming, adding stress to many individuals lives. In fact, 1 in 4 people will have some mental health concern due to the changes and stress the pandemic brings. The pandemic causes us to break our norm, while trying to identify a new norm. This has and may continue to…

How do I look at today’s pigs and tomorrow’s pigs? We’re in the middle of a slow moving train wreck and are faced with doing things we never conceived of doing.  Some economics are worth weighing as we approach drastic actions.  You only have so many spaces.  If pigs must leave your production pipeline, then…

About 70% of the cost associated with raising a market weight pig occurs in the wean-to-finish growth. Many of the producers have an idea where they stand in their current business model, but we encourage you to take a hard look at your operation to see ways to improve and how you can stay competitive…

Feed mills serve as a central location for feed ingredients to create a complete ration. Ingredients and complete feed have the potential to carry and harbor detrimental bacteria and viruses (Dee et al., 2018 and Cochrane et al., 2018). These ingredients and complete feed not only have the potential to introduce pathogens themselves but also…

Every year, each state has their annual pork congress where they recognize the outstanding pork producers and their families. This year, Pipestone had many producers and shareholders that received an award. South Dakota 2019 Pork All American- Craig Andersen The South Dakota Pork Producers Council (SDPPC) elected Craig Andersen, a pork producer from Centerville, SD,…

Dr. Spencer Wayne spends some time with Jesse McCoy, a water quality expert.  The discussion is about ways to check water quality to determine what’s happening at your farm!  

It’s time to start a new group of pigs. If you want your best closeout, get your weaned pigs off to a good start. This begins long before the pigs arrive. Your journey starts with communication to your sow unit, confirming delivery times to ensure the barn is cleaned, disinfected and dried to create the…

It’s that time of year filled with snow, ice, and… minimum ventilation inside your barn. The time of year when it is a constant battle between fresh, good air quality versus the heating bill. Poor air quality can also lead to increased bacterial disease pressure such as Streptococcus suis (Strep) and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) in…