Articles

Effective ventilation is one of the most critical factors in maintaining a healthy and productive swine operation. It influences air quality, temperature control, and the overall environment for the pigs. However, achieving the right balance in ventilation comes with its challenges, especially when factoring in barn design, fan efficiency, and climate conditions.

Running a family farm comes with unique challenges, especially when managing employee relationships. Whether your team consists of family members or outside hires, selecting the right person within your operation to manage employees is crucial. They do not need know every detail about the operation; in fact, they might not even have farm experience.

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.

PIPESTONE proudly collaborates with over 30 owner-operators across 11 different states, many of whom oversee additional drivers under their authority. This cohesive and dedicated team—from logistics coordinators to truckers and high bio-secure trailer washers—each played a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient transport of over 8 million wean pigs in 2023.

Warm, humid weather can bring on more intestinal issues in recently weaned pigs. The causes of looseness are many and include viruses (rotavirus and PEDV most commonly), bacteria (hemolytic E. coli and salmonella), parasites (coccidia), and environmental and nutritional factors.Today we will focus on best practices to minimize the chances of hemolytic E.

Due to the abundant rainfall this Spring, Mother Nature has created optimal conditions for mosquito breeding. Adult mosquitoes, capable of traveling up to 3 miles from their breeding grounds, pose a threat by biting and potentially transmitting viruses.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to attend the final Advancing Animal Welfare Together Symposium that was hosted by the late Dr. Angela Baysinger. During one of the sessions, we were asked to think about challenges that at one point the swine industry felt were impossible to overcome, but that we later accomplished.

Ensuring the health and safety of our pigs is a top priority for every swine producer. While we often focus on biosecurity measures at sow farms, it’s just as crucial to implement strong protocols in wean-to-finish barns. What do we know Disease doesn’t discriminate.

Ileitis is a significant concern in pig production, presenting both health challenges for the animals and economic ramifications for producers. This disease, caused by the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis, affects pigs worldwide and is particularly prevalent during warm weather months when feed intake can fluctuate.

I like to give my dad a hard time that all he had to do was farm the ground and feed the livestock to make a sustainable profit. I say this jokingly, but he recognizes that there is some truth in that statement.

As someone who thrives on outdoor adventures, I eagerly anticipate the warmer weather and the lively buzz that spring brings. But it’s also the time when our barn ventilation systems kick into high gear.