Articles - Nutrition

When the term biosecurity comes up, many immediately think of on-farm practices. However, the same rigorous principles must extend to other critical points in the production chain, including the feed mill—a potential entry point for disease. At Pipestone Nutrition, we conduct bi-annual audits of 45 feed mills that supply Pipestone-managed sow farms.

It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year, and no it’s not Christmas, it’s harvest time! Corn stalks flying and bean stubble being made is a farmer’s dream and at the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, we can’t forget about our 4-legged friends in our barns.

Ordering feed for your pigs is an essential responsibility on the farm. It may seem straightforward, but it plays a critical role in both the performance of your animals and their overall health. Incorrect feed orders can not only disrupt feeding schedules but also pose serious biosecurity risks.

Do you think you can impact the health of your piglets in the nursery by what the sow is eating at the sow farm? We had the very same question and set out to conduct a research trial to test the idea.

Feed costs make up 60% to 70% of production expenses, making it crucial for producers to monitor market trends as they work to enhance the profitability and sustainability of their pig farms. Recent trends indicate a notable decline in feed prices, particularly in essential ingredients like corn and soybean meal.

When we consider the number of stressors wean pigs face, it’s no surprise that starting pigs in the nursery can be challenging. So, the question becomes, what can we do to help? There are several practical ways to reduce stress, encourage pen exploration, and promote earlier feed intake to ensure a successful weaning transition.

One distinct memory I have growing up was riding along with my Dad (before car seats) in the feed truck when he worked as a delivery driver and ultimately feed salesman for Wayne Feeds in Ireton, IA.

You have all heard the term “volume buying”, and at Feed Partners this is essentially the core of what we do.  It is a simple concept to understand. You buy more volume; you get a better price.

Capturing Farm to Fork Benefits through Feed Hybrid rye has been gaining traction as an alternative feed stuff in the upper Midwest. Compared to conventional rye, the hybrid varieties have shown to be better yielding, less susceptible to ergot (a grain fungus) and more drought tolerant.

In the midst of record feed prices paced by $7-8/bu corn, in-barn feeder management should be a top priority for all producers. Spending over $100/pig in feed cost is already painful enough and shouldn’t be exacerbated by improper feeders or feeder settings.

There are several ways to evaluate feed cost and feed performance in wean-to-market pigs. Each method can provide a very different answer for the producer on what is the “BEST” way to feed a pig. In a perfect world we find the ideal marriage between biological performance and feed cost.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is an inevitable topic as we talk about the global swine industry, especially after August 2018 when ASF was reported for the first time in China, the world’s largest pig producer and consumer.