PigTek Connections October 2024: Your Source for Swine Industry Advances

PigTek Connections October 2024: Your Source for Swine Industry Advances

Published: Oct 30, 2024


HOME | CONTACT US

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. 

Important Links

Website

Controls

Feeding

Formula 542®


SWING-FIX®

Ventilation

Catalog

Services for Farmers

Services for Integrators

Dealer Locator

Brochures

Manuals

Tech Service

Videos

About

Contact Us




Swine News
From supply focused to demand obsessed

Presented by Luke Minion of Wholestone Farms during the 2025 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.

The post From supply focused to demand obsessed appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Swine Leaders Live: Mike Salguero of ButcherBox

CEOs of the Industry – Special Edition How Premium Pork, Consumer Trust & Direct-to-Consumer Models Are Redefining the Future of the Industry. In this exclusive episode, host Jim Eadie sits down with ButcherBox Founder & CEO Mike Salguero — one of the most transformative voices in protein today. They discuss where consumer demand is heading, […]

The post Swine Leaders Live: Mike Salguero of ButcherBox appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
SHIC Funds 12 Plan of Work Projects to Advance Emerging Disease Mission

he Swine Health Information Center recently funded 12 new projects addressing research priorities and topics published in its 2025 Plan of Work. This effort helps the organization fulfill its mission to generate new intelligence for preventing, preparing for, and responding to emerging swine disease threats. Funded research areas span across the Center’s five strategic priorities: improve […]

The post SHIC Funds 12 Plan of Work Projects to Advance Emerging Disease Mission appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Catalonia Investigates Possible Lab Link in Swine Fever Outbreak

Catalonia’s regional government has launched an investigation into whether a laboratory near Barcelona may be connected to a recent swine fever outbreak, following new data released by Spain’s Agriculture Ministry. Spain — the European Union’s largest pork producer — is seeking to reassure global trading partners after 13 wild boars tested positive for swine fever […]

The post Catalonia Investigates Possible Lab Link in Swine Fever Outbreak appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Why COP30 Mattered to U.S. Pork Producers

COP30 was attended by an estimated 50,000 people from across the globe in Belém, Brazil. With representation from industry sectors such as agriculture, energy, transportation and non-governmental organizations, U.S. Pork ensured producers had a seat at the table to share their We Care® commitment through our partnership with the Meat Institute’s Protein PACT. The 30th […]

The post Why COP30 Mattered to U.S. Pork Producers appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Pig X Podcast: Takeaways from the Second International Conference on Pig Livability

Episode 7: Takeaways from the Second International Conference on Pig Livability Featuring Dr. Joel DeRouchey and Dr. Edison Magalhaes

The post Pig X Podcast: Takeaways from the Second International Conference on Pig Livability appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Hog Talk: Recovery

The hog market has been trying a comeback. Listen to Luke and Mike discuss the hog market post our customer meeting.

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

Dec 09, 2025
USDA Reorganization Set for Completion in 2026, Vaden Says

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving ahead with a major structural overhaul that will shift more than half of its Washington, D.C.–based workforce into five regional hubs by the end of 2026, according to Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden. Speaking on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, Vaden said USDA will “redistribute the majority of our employees” to […]

The post USDA Reorganization Set for Completion in 2026, Vaden Says appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 09, 2025
Hogs Drift, By Ben DiCostanzo, Senior Market Strategist Walsh Trading, Inc., December 8th 2025

If you would like to receive more information on the commodity markets, please use the link to join our email list  – Sign Up Now  For those interested I hold a weekly livestock webinar on Tuesdays and my next webinar will be Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 3:15 pm. It is free for anyone who […]

The post Hogs Drift, By Ben DiCostanzo, Senior Market Strategist Walsh Trading, Inc., December 8th 2025 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 08, 2025
Back to Basics: Fundamentals drive vaccine performance, Dr. Daniel Gascho

Dr. Daniel Gascho says proper handling, timing and on-farm discipline remain biggest drivers of vaccine success. At a time when disease pressure continues to challenge pork production systems across the United States, vaccination remains one of the most valuable and heavily discussed tools available to veterinarians and producers. Speaking at the 2025 Four Star Pork […]

The post Back to Basics: Fundamentals drive vaccine performance, Dr. Daniel Gascho appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 08, 2025