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.
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.
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 fatigued) at any stage of the marketing process. Pigs become fatigued due to stress and the marketing processes often subject pigs to multiple stressors...
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 can translate into greater summertime profits.
Energy concentration Increasing the energy concentration of diets in the summer is a simple...
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 in working order.
Other key factors in alleviating lost summer profits can sometimes be overlooked. It is important to ensure that optimal conditions...
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 levels during the summer months. During the 2006 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference , B.R. Gramm and R.D. Nimmo of Phibro Animal Health and G.L. Allee of the...
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 our We Care principles, we may have to pay special attention this time of the year. Loading, unloading and transporting pigs is a stressful time for pigs even...
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