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
Impact of soybean oil on net energy and nitrogen balance in group-housed pigs allowed ad libitum access to feed

Dr. Su A Lee, Research Scientist in the Stein Monogastric Nutrition Lab, discusses the Impact of soybean oil on net energy and nitrogen balance in group-housed pigs allowed ad libitum access to feed. Adapted from a presentation at the ISEP 2025.

The post Impact of soybean oil on net energy and nitrogen balance in group-housed pigs allowed ad libitum access to feed appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 27, 2025
Iowa Select Farms Announces Dr. Tyler Te Grotenhuis as New Vice President of Operations, Wean-to-Finish

Iowa Select Farms has announced the appointment of Dr. Tyler Te Grotenhuis as Vice President of Operations, Wean-to-Finish—an important leadership role supporting the continued advancement of the company’s production system. Dr. Te Grotenhuis brings extensive experience across farrow-to-finish operations, swine health management, team leadership, and research and development. Most recently, he served as Director of […]

The post Iowa Select Farms Announces Dr. Tyler Te Grotenhuis as New Vice President of Operations, Wean-to-Finish appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
Montana Pork in Focus: A Catch-Up with Ben Wipf on Builds, Remodels, Innovation, and the Road to the 2026 Montana Pork Expo

It’s been more than five years since Swine Web last connected with Ben Wipf of Milford Colony, and in that time he has become one of the most consistent, practical voices in Montana pork production. As the state evolves — with new builds, remodeling decisions, climate-driven barn designs, and renewed interest among younger producers — […]

The post Montana Pork in Focus: A Catch-Up with Ben Wipf on Builds, Remodels, Innovation, and the Road to the 2026 Montana Pork Expo appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
Proven performance: Kanters Weaning Protocol supports health and drives progress

As U.S. producers show growing interest in improving drinking water quality, the Kanters Weaning Protocol offers a practical next step. Recent field results from Independence, Iowa, demonstrate that better water hygiene and targeted supplementation can measurably support animal health and help reduce antibiotic use. This provides producers with a clear, evidence-based opportunity to strengthen weaning […]

The post Proven performance: Kanters Weaning Protocol supports health and drives progress appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
Stories and Perspectives from the Farm, by Pork Producer Wanda Patsche, November 26th 2025

Happy Thanksgiving I love this time of year as it gives me time to reflect on how truly blessed I am. With everything going on around us, sometimes it’s hard to find the time to realize how fortunate we really are. The past few weeks have been crazy. You would think that with harvest behind […]

The post Stories and Perspectives from the Farm, by Pork Producer Wanda Patsche, November 26th 2025 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
DOJ Pushes Forward in Agri Stats Antitrust Case, Says Data Sharing Helped Boost Meat Prices

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and multiple states are pressing ahead with their antitrust case against Agri Stats, telling a Minnesota federal court that the company has facilitated the exchange of sensitive production and pricing information across the chicken, pork and turkey sectors for decades. In a new filing, government enforcers opposed Agri Stats’ […]

The post DOJ Pushes Forward in Agri Stats Antitrust Case, Says Data Sharing Helped Boost Meat Prices appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
Looking Ahead: How Will Your Farm Evolve? By Jim Marzolf

With breakeven pressures lifted, now is the perfect time to step back from working in your business and focus on working on it—making strategic plans today to future-proof your farm and secure long-term success. As you reflect on the last 20 years in your agricultural business, you saw commodity prices that were high and low, […]

The post Looking Ahead: How Will Your Farm Evolve? By Jim Marzolf appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
94 Determining the maximum inclusion rate of soybean meal in grow-to-finish pig diets

Abstract Depending on price, people may consider over-formulating soybean meal (SBM) in pig diets beyond essential amino acid requirements. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate high dietary SBM inclusion rates on grow-finish pig performance and carcass parameters. A total of 240 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough; 22.4 ± 1.21 kg BW) were utilized in a […]

The post 94 Determining the maximum inclusion rate of soybean meal in grow-to-finish pig diets appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
Moldova Loses One-Third of Its Pig Population as ASF Continues to Spread

Moldova’s pork sector is facing one of its most significant challenges in recent years, with African Swine Fever (ASF) wiping out nearly a third of the country’s pig population. According to updated national estimates, Moldova now has roughly 296,000 pigs, down from more than 430,000 before the latest wave of ASF outbreaks. A Rapid Decline […]

The post Moldova Loses One-Third of Its Pig Population as ASF Continues to Spread appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025
ASF Confirmed in Taiwan: SHIC Warns Producers of Heightened Holiday Travel Risks

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is urging U.S. pork producers to stay vigilant this holiday season as global disease pressures continue to evolve. In its November eNewsletter, SHIC released the latest domestic and global swine disease monitoring reports — highlighting one development in particular: the first confirmed case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in […]

The post ASF Confirmed in Taiwan: SHIC Warns Producers of Heightened Holiday Travel Risks appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 26, 2025