5 tips for preparing for and managing spring ventilation

Posted on April 14, 2023 in Swine Performance
As temperatures increase, these five tips will help you manage ventilation for optimum pig health and performance.

Managing microenvironments in the farrowing barn

Posted on November 12, 2020 in Swine Performance

By Dave Chamberlin and Jaron Lewton
Proper management of the farrowing barn environment to mutually benefit the sow and her litter is no easy task.  However, with a couple minor adjustments and regular management, you can create a farrowing barn environment that will allow the sow and her litter to perform at optimal levels without adversely affecting one another. 

Managing the impact of heat stress in swine production

Posted on May 18, 2018 in Swine Performance

By Dr. Jose Soto
Pigs have a difficult time dissipating body heat, especially during warmer weather, and heat stress can negatively influence pig performance.  To avoid heat stress-related economic losses, considering implementing some of these strategies this summer.

Up to the Challenge: Vita Plus Swine Summit 2017 Recap

Posted on April 24, 2017 in Swine Performance

More than 150 hog producers, industry peers and Vita Plus employee owners attended Vita Plus Swine Summit 2017 on March 29 and 30 in Morton, Minnesota.  Click the links below for complete event coverage, including articles, videos and speaker presentations.

Maintain performance through summer heat – Part 3

Posted on July 30, 2015 in Swine Performance
By Dr. Leah Gesing Although pig losses during any phase of production are costly, pig losses near the time of marketing are the most expensive. It has been estimated that approximately 1 percent of pigs in the U.S. are classified as “transport losses.”  Transport losses refer to pigs that die or become non-ambulatory (injured or

Maintain performance through summer heat – Part 2

Posted on July 15, 2015 in Swine Performance
By Leah Gesing Heat stress can result in lost profits during the summer months and its after effects may be felt into the fall.  Proper diet formulation to compensate for decreased feed intake can moderate the customary summer dip in carcass weights.  Correctly utilizing supplemental fat, crystalline amino acids, chromium and ractopamine in diet formulation

Maintain performance through summer heat – Part 1

Posted on June 26, 2015 in Swine Performance
By Dr. Leah Gesing Summer is upon us and with it comes characteristically higher market hog prices accompanied by lower average market weights. To mitigate potential lost profits due to reduced harvest weights, it is important to prepare barns for the summer months by ensuring thermostats, fans, air inlets, sprinklers, and drip coolers are all

Using Stafac® to improve performance in grow-finish pigs during the summer heat

Posted on July 20, 2012 in Swine Performance
By Spencer Jones The heat of the summer makes it extremely difficult to keep pigs performing at an optimal level. Keeping the animal comfortable during periods of high heat is very important to help minimize economic losses. The feed additive virginiamycin, more commonly known as Stafac®, may help grow-finish pigs perform closer to their optimal

Don’t lose your cool!

Posted on June 22, 2012 in Swine Performance
By Jessica Boehm Even though it may have felt like it for a while, we have now officially entered into the summer of 2012 this week – and the heat is on! With the extra heat and humidity hanging around, both our pigs and workers can become overheated more quickly.  With a good understanding of