Feed frenzy: curtailing your biggest cost
Industry stakeholders explore options to help curb rising feed expenses.
By Geoff Geddes
Better Pork Featured Articles
Better Pork is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share two feature articles online. Each magazine includes much more content. If you enjoy reading the Better Pork articles below, be sure to subscribe to the magazine!
Batch farrowing
Transitioning from weekly farrowing to batches could benefit pig health, workflow and biosecurity.
By Jackie Clark
Most pig farms across Canada run on a continuous schedule: breeding, farrowing, processing piglets, and weaning all happen each week. Many producers find success and satisfaction in this steady rhythm of work.
Set & reach breeding targets for your herd
Breeding targets are the basis for profitability in reproductive herds. Learn how to achieve optimal productivity on your farm.
by Kate Ayers
Swine reproductive herd management can be challenging yet rewarding work. Helping a sow produce a large healthy litter of piglets can be accompanied by a demanding and frustrating process of successfully bringing a gilt into her first breeding season.
Destruction & deadstock disposal: are we prepared?
The Canadian pork industry hopes to avert the prospect of a large volume of dead pigs, but officials are preparing in the event of a major disease outbreak.
by Jackie Clark
Disposing of dead livestock is an unpleasant task at best. However, being able to do so safely and efficiently is a reality for swine producers across Canada. The task requires technical knowledge and access to resources such as deadstock bins or composting materials.
Keys to your farm business goals
By setting SMART goals, producers can grow business success and realize personal satisfaction.
by Jackie Clark
Producers are always thinking about the future. As we move from one season to the next, our thoughts shift from the activities behind us to the opportunities available in the future. Often, people might take a moment to think of, or even record, a few resolutions for the future.
Your goals can focus on the farm business but can also be personal or family-related.
Fine-tune nursery management to achieve optimal pig performance
Entering the nursery can be a stressful period for young pigs. Industry experts provide insight on how to get your herd off to a strong start.
By Kate Ayers
Meeting new people, trying new food, and exploring a new destination can be exciting but daunting experiences that we encounter. Now imagine combining all three experiences into one day.
Wallowing in the wild
Escaped pigs have managed to hybridize and proliferate in Canada, with disastrous consequences for agriculture.
by Jackie Clark
Bob Brickley first encountered wild pigs two decades ago. He farms in southeast Saskatchewan, growing grain, raising cattle and keeping a large purebred-based quarter-horse herd.
“About 20 years ago, some pigs escaped from a domestic farm and started invading our premises and upsetting our whole operation,” he tells Better Pork.
Water’s essential role in pig performance
Producers should test their water sources regularly, ensure adequate water flow, and consider water treatment options to support herd performance.
by Kate Ayers
To help optimize production, pig farmers focus on the details.
Producers manage controllable factors to the best of their abilities and provide excellent care for their animals. Producers maintain comfortable stocking densities, supply their herds with expert-formulated diets and even provide enrichment materials.
Small-lot pork production: successes and risks
As more small-lot producers contribute to the amount of pork raised in Canada, a lack of biosecurity awareness threatens the broader industry.
by Jackie Clark
At first glance, commercial pork producers might not easily identify the similarities between their operations and the farms of non-commercial or small-lot producers.
Advance your benchmarking to the next level
Producers can increase operational resiliency by identifying key performance indicators and tracking improvements over time.
By Kate Ayers
Although benchmarking is a familiar concept in pork production, we still have significant opportunities to maximize the benefits of this data collection and analysis strategy, some industry experts say.
Producers can further optimize their operations by digging deeper into their data and using all information to its full potential.