Genetics, seasonality and human factors all play a role in getting a pork chop on a plate. And while there is no fail-safe playbook in raising hogs, three pork industry experts are sharing the production areas they would encourage producers to focus on most.
1. Health
Biosecurity is big part of the swine industry culture. But even with all the efforts made to keep disease out of barns, it can still happen. Disease management is the No. 1 topic Cara Haden, Pipestone veterinarian, talks with producers about.
One thing Haden is currently looking at is the rise of PRRS. She says even though monthly data reports aren’t showing a major increase in the disease, she’s hearing there’s a lot out there.
“We used to think we only had to worry about it in the winter months. But the last several years, we’ve seen a second peak show up in June and July,” she says. “This year is going to be no different based on what I’m hearing from people.”
As more workers and vaccinating crews are going between sites, there’s room for biosecurity improvement when it comes to disinfecting equipment. PRRS is airborne, but other bacterial pathogens, like APP, spread on people and equipment.
“I think our sow farms execute things really well — shower in, shower out,” Haden says. “We’re being really careful about equipment coming in, and we’ve got downtime for visitors. The low-hanging fruit of our industry is the grow-finish sites.”
2. Data collection
Having real-time data is crucial to know where there could be a breakdown in the process.
“From a data standpoint, it’s getting that right information out to the right people in a timely fashion and what’s relevant to them. If you’re not using real-time data — especially for mortality — things can get really out of hand,” says Brad Eckberg, MTech Systems.
Eckberg explains there are different factors producers can use to mitigate costs. When it comes to health, data can identify a certain flow, area or person needing attention.
Randy Kuker, director of livestock at The Equity, adds using data to understand where the problems are coming from leads to finding solutions.
“If there is a breakdown in the process at the sow farm, it all rolls downhill to finishing. We’ve got to deal with what gets sent,” he says.
Kuker’s management company is seeing some integrators struggling with health, while others have some high-performing groups. They are looking at the data and getting creative in trying to determine how to help.
“Higher-end sow farms do provide the bigger wean pigs,” he adds. “I see pigs coming off the truck at 10 lb., and I see pigs coming off at 15 lb. or 16 lb. It’s just a completely different game when you have a more viable, healthy, bigger pig.”
3. Transportation
When transporting pigs, Eckberg reminds truckers and caretakers to have everything in place. That includes wood shavings and panels that match the size of the pigs.
“It’s the caretaker bringing the appropriate number of pigs to the truck, the lighting and a lot of different things that go into transportation — especially from a market standpoint,” Eckberg says. “When you look at the analytics, you put so much time, effort and money into these market hogs. The amount of focus on transportation loss — and who’s focusing on it — needs to improve quite a bit.”
Kuker suggests making an effort to prep hogs before moving them can end up saving time in the long run. For example, moving pigs from the back of the barn closer to the front ahead of time.
“That way you’re not trying to move them 330 feet in 30 minutes,” he says. “If you have slick floors on top of it, and inexperienced workers or workers who want to move faster, that’s when things happen.”
He cautions not having the right set up can lead to injuries.
“You put 160 days into getting that pig [to market] and because you’re in a hurry and didn’t prepare, that pig’s going to go down. That producer is going to lose a hog at the last minute,” Kuker says.
Eckberg adds, “You’re almost to the finish line. Don’t lose that focus.”
Listen to more of this conversation where the experts further discuss:
- Water as a risk for disease transmission
- Effects of Prop 12
- How to keep morale up in the barns
- The importance of honest feedback in monitoring progress
Your next read: Remembering Darrell Anderson: A Life Filled with Faith, Livestock and Leadership
