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. 

By Dave Chamberlin and Jaron Lewton
Most sow management programs have two goals: to optimize sow productivity and longevity.  However, in pursuit of these two goals, producers often leave costs on the table, which impacts the bottomline and overall profitability.  By implementing these four sow management strategies into your swine business, you could save up to $5 per sow.

During a recent Vita Plus Swine Team Webinar, Dr. Steve Meyer, Kerns and Associates, provided attendees with an update on what pork producers can expect from the corn, soybean and hog markets for the rest of the year.

Vita Plus recently launched the Serving Customers & Rural Communities Project.  Through this project, Vita Plus has committed $100,000 to support rural food security initiatives throughout the Upper Midwest.  The purposes of the project are to assist those in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic while also showing support for dairy, swine, and beef producers by purchasing their products.  Click the link below to see the growing list of projects happening in communities across the Midwest.  We sincerely thank all the dairy and livestock farmers who work hard to provide nutritious, safe food for our families.  It's an honor to work with you.

Vita Plus will be offering a virtual Swine Summit focused on the global pork market outlook on Thursday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST.  We hope you can join us!

By Dr. Jose Soto
Sorting through the marketing "smoke and mirrors" is important to make daily decisions on your swine operation.  Peer-reviewed research is the most credible form of research and helps ensure you are making sound nutrition and management decisions.

By the Vita Plus swine team
The Vita Plus swine nutrition team understands the challenges you are facing, and we are dedicated to helping you be successful, regardless of market conditions.  The "Navigating the Storm" series is intended to help you identify some of the areas where the Vita Plus team can help you improve your operation’s profitability.  In part two, we will look at sow and pre-weaned pig management to improve profitability.

By the Vita Plus swine team
The Vita Plus swine nutrition team understands the challenges you are facing, and we are dedicated to helping you be successful, regardless of market conditions.  The "Navigating the Storm" series is intended to help you identify some of the areas where the Vita Plus team can help you improve your operation’s profitability.  In part one, we address management around the time of marketing and how we analyze closeout information to improve profitability. ​

By Dr. Leah Kellesvig
African Swine Fever (ASF) was recently found in China a little more than a month ago.  As affected nations do what they can to stop the disease from spreading, Vita Plus is taking every precaution necessary to continue to provide our customers the highest quality products.

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.

Editor’s note:  This is the second article in a three-part series on the impacts of management factors on swine feeding success.

By Lynnea Courtney
As we discussed in part one of this series, pig performance is impacted by a multitude of management and environmental factors, such as feed management.  Another important factor to consider is water management.  Monitoring water availability and quality in your barns is an essential area to optimize swine health and productivity. 

Editor’s note: This is the second article in a three-part series comparing the Canadian pork industry to the U.S. pork industry.

By Garrett Rozeboom
In part one of this series, I compared the exports, imports, and hog census data of the U.S. and Canadian pork industries.  Regardless of the differences, both countries benefit from the other.  In this second part, I will discuss the differences and similarities in swine diet ingredients and formulation methodologies used in both countries.

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.

Editor’s note:  This is the first article in a three-part series on the impacts of management factors on swine feeding success.

By Lynnea Courtney
Poor management and environmental conditions can have a large impact on pig performance.  Many performance-limiting factors are avoidable, but they are often overlooked.  Proper management of feed, water, and the environment can help achieve optimal swine health and productivity. 

Editor’s note: This is the first article in a three-part series comparing the Canadian pork industry to the U.S. pork industry.

By Garrett Rozeboom
Pork production is a big sector of the Canadian agriculture industry and the Canadian pork industry has established itself as a major player in the global pork supply.  The Canadian pork industry is similar to the U.S. industry in many ways, but some differences also make it unique in the global markets. 

By Tad TeBockhorst
Unless you’ve been living under the slats in your finisher, you know the fast approaching veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulations have been at the center of discussion in the animal agriculture community.  Concern and confusion has risen from producers, feed distributors, and veterinarians alike regarding how to interpret these new regulations, as well as questions as to how the new rules will be enforced.  As January 1 quickly approaches, here are a few points to keep in mind.