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
Muyuan Signals Long-Term Bet on Technology as China’s Pork Market Remains Under Pressure

China’s largest hog producer, Muyuan Foods, is moving to raise significant new capital through a Hong Kong share offering — a signal that even amid margin pressure and oversupply, leading pork producers are continuing to invest in long-term efficiency and resilience. The capital raise, expected to total roughly $1.4 billion, comes at a challenging time […]

The post Muyuan Signals Long-Term Bet on Technology as China’s Pork Market Remains Under Pressure appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
ADM Reaches Settlement in Accounting Investigation

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) has reached a settlement with U.S. regulators, resolving a federal investigation tied to accounting practices within its Nutrition business segment. The agreement brings closure to a probe that examined how certain financial results were reported during 2021 and 2022, a period when ADM was positioning its Nutrition division as a major growth […]

The post ADM Reaches Settlement in Accounting Investigation appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
Hog Talk: Hogs Take A Hit

Mike and Luke sit down to discuss a recent drop in hog futures, Trumps E15 agenda and more. Listen In!

The post Hog Talk: Hogs Take A Hit appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
duBreton Responds to Health Canada’s Approval of Gene-Edited Meat with ‘Verified No Cloning or Gene Editing’ Labeling Commitment

duBreton is responding to Health Canada’s recent decision to approve the use of gene-edited meat in the Canadian food system without mandatory labeling requirements. This decision comes on the heels of Health Canada’s proposed approach to cloned-animal foods, which was redacted following overwhelming consumer and industry concern. Taken together, these decisions underscore growing concern about […]

The post duBreton Responds to Health Canada’s Approval of Gene-Edited Meat with ‘Verified No Cloning or Gene Editing’ Labeling Commitment appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
Western Smokehouse Expands Footprint With Acquisition of Junior’s Smokehouse

Western Smokehouse Partners is continuing its growth in the U.S. meat and protein space with the acquisition of Texas-based Junior’s Smokehouse, a move that further expands its national manufacturing footprint and processing capacity. Founded in 1985, Junior’s Smokehouse operates out of El Campo, Texas, producing a range of jerky, smoked sausages, and specialty meat products. […]

The post Western Smokehouse Expands Footprint With Acquisition of Junior’s Smokehouse appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
Tariff Talk Returns — and Pork Markets Are Watching Closely

Trade uncertainty is creeping back into global markets as the U.S. signals renewed tariff pressure on key trading partners, including Canada and South Korea — a development that rarely stays isolated from agriculture. For pork producers, Canada remains the focal point. As the largest destination for U.S. pork exports, any escalation in trade friction immediately […]

The post Tariff Talk Returns — and Pork Markets Are Watching Closely appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
Prairie Hog Country February/March 2026 Edtion

The 48-page core section of the February/March edition was uploaded yesterday morning to the press. This issue is jam packed, some of the highlights include: follow up coverage from Banff Pork Seminar, PRRS Disease control, Bio security options, ASF in Spain, new PigLEARN modules, Brandon Hog & Poultry Show winners, rising food costs, Pig Code […]

The post Prairie Hog Country February/March 2026 Edtion appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 30, 2026
SHIC, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff Issue Second H5N1 Risk to Swine Request for Proposals

Seeking to fill research gaps in industry-wide preparedness effort The Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, announced funding of 10 projects addressing research priorities and topics within its H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program in July 2025. The research awards were part of a $4 million program […]

The post SHIC, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff Issue Second H5N1 Risk to Swine Request for Proposals appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 29, 2026
Tyson Reaches Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement in Pork Antitrust Case

Tyson Foods has reached a multi-million-dollar settlement to resolve claims tied to long-running litigation involving alleged coordination in the U.S. pork market, marking another significant step toward closing one of the industry’s most closely watched legal cases. The settlement relates to historical claims brought by pork buyers who alleged that large processors influenced pricing through […]

The post Tyson Reaches Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement in Pork Antitrust Case appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 29, 2026
What if pig livability is shaped long before problems show up in the barn?

Novel Strategies to Select for Livability | Jenelle Dunkelberger, PhD https://popularpig.com/2026/01/29/novel-strategies-to-select-for-livability-jenelle-dunkelberger-phd/

The post What if pig livability is shaped long before problems show up in the barn? appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 29, 2026