PigTek Connections October 2024: Your Source for Swine Industry Advances

PigTek Connections October 2024: Your Source for Swine Industry Advances

Published: Oct 30, 2024


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Core Report

Vietnam Prop 12 comparison to the US

The comparison between Vietnam's and the United States' Prop 12 regulations reveal significant differences in swine production standards and market impacts. Prop 12 in the US, particularly in California, mandates stricter animal welfare standards and requires more space for breeding pigs, which has increased production costs and reshaped market dynamics. Conversely, Vietnam's regulations focus more on scaling production efficiency and meeting rising domestic and export demands without similar stringent welfare requirements. This divergence highlights the challenges and adaptations faced by producers in both regions as they navigate regulatory landscapes and consumer expectations.

PigTek Commentary: CEO REPORT

Leading the Charge for Innovation and Excellence in Swine Production, by Greg Bodak Vice President/General Manager, PigTek Americas


I'm Greg Bodak, General Manager of PigTek, and I'm here to talk pigs -- and not just any pigs. At PigTek, we have a mission: to help producers maximize efficiency, boost productivity, and unleash the full potential of their swine operations. Our work is about far more than just raising pigs; it's about transforming the swine industry one innovative solution at a time.

 

So, what sets PigTek apart? It's our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. From our groundbreaking PigTek HERO® Fan Series which is pushing the boundaries of ventilation technology, to our revolutionary Swing-Fix® Gestation Stall Gate solutions, we're creating products that are changing the way swine farming is done. We are redefining what it means to be a leader in swine production equipment and technology.

 

But for me, this journey is about more than just innovation -- it's about passion. We live and breathe swine production, and there’s nothing more rewarding than unifying our team to develop practical solutions that make a real difference on the farm. Whether it's brainstorming the next breakthrough in efficiency, collaborating with producers to tackle on-farm challenges, or creating solutions to improve animal welfare and production outcomes, we're all in.


Our team at PigTek is dedicated to empowering producers by offering cutting-edge tools that drive results. We know that in this industry, time, efficiency, and effectiveness are critical, and we’re committed to staying at the forefront of swine production technology to ensure our partners thrive.

 

Whether you’re facing challenges in ventilation, feed management or operational efficiency, we’re here to help you overcome obstacles and push the limits of what’s possible in swine production. Together, we can elevate your operation to new heights, and I’m excited to continue leading the charge in this mission.

 

Visit us at www.pigtek.net to learn more about our solutions and see how we can help your operation reach its full potential.

The Founding Story of PigTek: Innovating Swine Industry Solutions

PigTek’s story begins in 1952 with the founding of Chore-Time Equipment. One of the first products Chore-Time successfully developed and marketed was an electric hog fountain heater. Since that time, the company’s long product history for the hog industry includes the development and continuous improvements of the centerless auger FLEX-AUGER® Feed Delivery System, Feed Bin Storage Systems, HERO Fan line, as well as other innovative, high-quality, American-made commercial farming products. In 2007, Chore-Time Hog Production Systems was renamed PigTek®. Since then, we have continued to develop and expand our pig equipment product offerings to meet the needs of the modern commercial hog farmer. 


We think globally offering producers industry-leading technology and equipment solutions that serve customers all over North and South America as well as in Europe and Asia. We act locally when it comes to products and service, offering high-quality after-sales technical supervision and support for our network of PigTek dealers. That support includes quoting, drawings and professional expertise as well as training and seminars to help our dealers and customers get the best performance from their PigTek systems. We place a high value on all our relationships.

Featured Commentary

Revolutionizing Manure Management in Swine Operations: The Power of Manure Pit Additives By: Casey L. Bradley, Ph.D.; The Sunswine Group, LLC


Utilizing Formula 542 within swine manure pits reduced ammonia emissions by 85.5% on average throughout different seasons in a commercial swine operation. 

Discover the Power of Formula 542: Learn How It Improves Swine Health and Environmental Management

While the swine industry primarily focuses on the profitability metrics like margin over feed cost and the quality of the final pork products, there lies a by-product of production that presents both a challenge and an opportunity -- manure. Often overlooked until it becomes a problem, manure management is pivotal not just for operational efficiency but also for environmental stewardship.

 

From storage issues and odor control to nutrient management and land application, the complexities of handling manure are vast. Innovative solutions like pit additives are now changing the landscape, offering sustainable and efficient management strategies that can turn this by-product from a nuisance into a valuable resource.


Navigating the Complexities of Manure Management

One of the foremost challenges in effective manure management lies in the storage conditions and duration. Facilities must be engineered to accommodate up to a year’s worth of production, aligning with the agricultural calendar that typically permits manure application only during specific windows around the crop growing season. This necessity stems from two primary concerns: the management of solids and the mitigation of gaseous emissions. Read the entire article here

Video Central

PigTek PigCentral® Controller Overview

Since 2018, Banthsa Thonethevaboth has been PigTek’s Technical Service Representative where he has supported new product applications, development and launches. Prior to his employment at PigTek, Thonethevaboth worked as a Field Service Engineer for Mitsubishi Laser MC Machinery for 6 years. He received his Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) from Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, Iowa, in 2012. He also earned his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, in 2019 where he majored in Laser & Electro-Optics. Fluent in English and Laotian, Thonethevaboth resides in Norwalk, Iowa. 

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Swine News
Hogs rally toward resistance

To “Read” Walt’s charts, keep the following in mind: Support – this term refers to a trend line or price area under the market which is expected to hold the market from potential decline. Resistance– a price area or trend line above the market that is expected to prevent or stall price increases. Trend lines and […]

The post Hogs rally toward resistance appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 20, 2026
Katie Sherman of Tosh Farms Graduates from Pork Leadership Institute Class of 2026

Tosh Farms is celebrating a major leadership milestone as Sow Manager Katie Sherman graduates as a member of the Pork Leadership Institute (PLI) Class of 2026. Hosted by the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board, the year-long Pork Leadership Institute program selects a small group of pork producers from across the country […]

The post Katie Sherman of Tosh Farms Graduates from Pork Leadership Institute Class of 2026 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 20, 2026
Evaluating Obstetric Protocols In Highly Prolific Sows For Reducing Stillbirths, by Melanie Boucher, DVM Southwest Ontario Veterinary Service

Controlling stillbirth rates in highly prolific sows can be a challenge. The rate of farrowing difficulties (dystocia) reported in the literature seems to lie somewhere between 10-55%. The rate of intervention will vary from herd to herd depending on a wide variety of factors such as genetics, sow body condition, mycotoxins, parity structure , disease […]

The post Evaluating Obstetric Protocols In Highly Prolific Sows For Reducing Stillbirths, by Melanie Boucher, DVM Southwest Ontario Veterinary Service appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 20, 2026
Strong Corn Exports and Rising Ethanol Demand Shape February Feed Outlook

Feed markets continue to show strength and resilience as we move deeper into 2026, with robust U.S. corn exports, steady livestock demand, and rising sorghum usage for ethanol emerging as key themes this month. For pork producers, the message is clear: global demand remains active, feed competition is steady, and energy markets are still influencing […]

The post Strong Corn Exports and Rising Ethanol Demand Shape February Feed Outlook appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 20, 2026
African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Developments Underscore Importance of Global Monitoring

Global activity surrounding African Swine Fever (ASF) and emerging concerns tied to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) are drawing renewed attention in the latest monitoring update from the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). In its February eNewsletter, SHIC released both its domestic and global swine health monitoring reports, highlighting continued international disease pressure and the importance of […]

The post African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Developments Underscore Importance of Global Monitoring appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 20, 2026
Swine Influenza Ecology: Stability Today Doesn’t Mean Safety Tomorrow

Swine influenza remains one of the most adaptive and closely monitored respiratory pathogens in pork production. While current surveillance trends suggest limited dramatic cross-species mixing in the short term, influenza is a virus defined by change. For producers and veterinarians, the takeaway is straightforward: Relative genetic stability is encouraging — but it is never permanent. […]

The post Swine Influenza Ecology: Stability Today Doesn’t Mean Safety Tomorrow appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 19, 2026
SHIC Reports Elevated Influenza A and PED Levels in January 2026

January 2026 brought notably higher levels of Influenza A virus (IAV) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) across U.S. swine production systems, according to the latest monthly disease monitoring update from the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). The findings were released as part of SHIC’s February eNewsletter, which includes both domestic and global swine disease monitoring […]

The post SHIC Reports Elevated Influenza A and PED Levels in January 2026 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 19, 2026
Lean Hogs Edge Higher as Pork Values Soften; Cattle Futures Rally on Tight Supplies

Lean hog futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed modestly higher Tuesday, even as pork carcass values slipped, reflecting continued market tension between strong fund positioning and softer wholesale pricing. April lean hog futures settled 1.025 cents higher to 92.3 cents per pound, holding onto gains despite pressure in the pork cutout. According to […]

The post Lean Hogs Edge Higher as Pork Values Soften; Cattle Futures Rally on Tight Supplies appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 19, 2026
Join NPPC in KC for 2026 National Pork Industry Forum

State, National Leaders and NPPC Staff Available to Talk Pork Policy DES MOINES, IA. Feb. 18, 2026. Join the National Pork Producers Council at the National Pork Industry Forum, March 4-6, in Kansas City, where national pork producer leaders, state executives, and NPPC subject matter experts will be on hand to talk pork priorities, policy developments, […]

The post Join NPPC in KC for 2026 National Pork Industry Forum appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Feb 18, 2026