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
Wisconsin Hog Farm Proposals Highlight Growing Tension Around Livestock Expansion

Proposed hog farm developments in Wisconsin are once again drawing public scrutiny, underscoring a familiar and increasingly complex challenge facing the pork industry: how to responsibly expand production while navigating environmental concerns, regulatory thresholds, and community trust. At the center of the discussion are new hog farm proposals that fall just below permitting levels that […]

The post Wisconsin Hog Farm Proposals Highlight Growing Tension Around Livestock Expansion appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 16, 2026
PRRS-Resistant Pig Emerges as New Tool in the Fight Against PRRS

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has challenged pork producers for decades, impacting all stages of production and remaining one of the most costly diseases facing the global swine industry. While biosecurity, vaccination, and management strategies remain essential, a new option is drawing increasing attention: the PRRS-resistant pig. According to John Harding, professor of large […]

The post PRRS-Resistant Pig Emerges as New Tool in the Fight Against PRRS appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 16, 2026
UPDATE: Agri Stats Reaches Settlement in Meat Industry Wage-Fixing Case

ollowing Swine Web’s earlier coverage of the wage-fixing lawsuit involving Ag industry data provider Agri Stats, new developments signal the case is entering a new phase. According to a January 9 report from Reuters, Agri Stats has agreed to settle claims brought by meat industry workers who alleged the company helped facilitate wage suppression by […]

The post UPDATE: Agri Stats Reaches Settlement in Meat Industry Wage-Fixing Case appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 16, 2026
Texas A&M AgriLife publication focuses on urban, suburban feral hog management

Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute aims to empower landowners, municipal leaders with solutions Experts with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, NRI, are working to connect Texans with the resources and expertise necessary to address the growing challenge of feral hog management across the state’s rapidly changing landscape. Manage feral hogs across a changing landscape […]

The post Texas A&M AgriLife publication focuses on urban, suburban feral hog management appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 16, 2026
Hormel Foods Announces Upcoming Retirements of Mark Morey and Paul Peil

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the upcoming retirements of two long-tenured leaders: Mark Morey, vice president of operations for fresh pork, and Paul Peil, vice president of marketing for fresh and ready meats. “Mark has been a trusted leader at Hormel Foods for more than three decades, […]

The post Hormel Foods Announces Upcoming Retirements of Mark Morey and Paul Peil appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 16, 2026
Designing the Next Generation of Swine Facilities: What the Industry Is Learning Right Now

As swine production continues to evolve, facility design has moved well beyond simply housing pigs. Today’s barns are expected to support animal welfare, labor efficiency, biosecurity, environmental control, and long-term adaptability—all at once. Across North America, producers and integrators are rethinking how barns are designed, upgraded, and managed to meet the demands of a more […]

The post Designing the Next Generation of Swine Facilities: What the Industry Is Learning Right Now appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 15, 2026
CEO’s of the Industry | John Prestage – Prestage Farms

In this episode of CEO’s of the Industry, Jim Eadie sits down with John Prestage, CEO of Prestage Farms, one of the largest family-owned pork and poultry companies in the United States. From its beginnings under founder Bill Prestage to its evolution into a multi-state, vertically integrated protein company, this conversation explores what it takes […]

The post CEO’s of the Industry | John Prestage – Prestage Farms appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 15, 2026
Worker Death at Tar Heel Pork Plant Under Investigation

An employee at a pork processing facility in Tar Heel, North Carolina, was found unresponsive at the site over the weekend and later pronounced dead. The facility is operated by Smithfield Foods, one of the largest pork processors in the world. Company officials confirmed the death and stated that appropriate authorities were notified. An investigation […]

The post Worker Death at Tar Heel Pork Plant Under Investigation appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 15, 2026
Olymel Names Daniel Rivest CEO; Yanick Gervais to Step Down in July 2026

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The post Olymel Names Daniel Rivest CEO; Yanick Gervais to Step Down in July 2026 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

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