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
Why Muyuan Is Looking Beyond China—and What It Means for Global Pork

When Muyuan Foodstuffs shows up in Brazil’s grain heartland, it’s not a routine visit. It’s a signal. The company—China’s largest pork producer—recently sent a delegation to Lucas do Rio Verde, located in Mato Grosso, one of the most productive grain regions in the world. At first glance, the visit focused on grain sourcing. But the […]

The post Why Muyuan Is Looking Beyond China—and What It Means for Global Pork appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 17, 2026
Farm Bill Momentum Builds—But Industry Questions Remain

Momentum is building again in Washington around the long-delayed Farm Bill. House leadership is targeting a potential floor vote in late April—a signal that policymakers are feeling pressure to move forward after months of delays. But for the pork industry, the bigger question isn’t when a bill gets passed. It’s what it actually changes. Movement […]

The post Farm Bill Momentum Builds—But Industry Questions Remain appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 17, 2026
Abstract: Rapid identification of African swine fever virus in diagnostic samples using CRISPR-Cas

Abstract: Rapid identification of African swine fever virus in diagnostic samples using CRISPR-Cas African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly transmissible pathogen affecting swine, causing a devastating disease with high mortality rates in naive populations. Given the likelihood of significant economic impacts associated with an ASF outbreak, considerable resources have been allocated in the […]

The post Abstract: Rapid identification of African swine fever virus in diagnostic samples using CRISPR-Cas appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 17, 2026
China’s Pork Production Is Rising—But the Real Story Is Pressure

By Swine Web China’s pork production is climbing again. In the first quarter of 2026, output reached 16.69 million metric tons—a 4.2% increase year-over-year—reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s dominant pork producer. But beneath the growth, pressure is building. More Pork, Less Profit Despite rising production: Hog prices have dropped significantly Consumption remains soft […]

The post China’s Pork Production Is Rising—But the Real Story Is Pressure appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 17, 2026
USMEF Statement on America First Trade Promotion Program Allocations

On April 16, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced the 2026 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) funding allocations, which are key investments aimed at advancing U.S. agricultural exports. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement: USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s efforts to expand U.S. agricultural exports […]

The post USMEF Statement on America First Trade Promotion Program Allocations appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 17, 2026
New Data Shows Continued Threat to Food Affordability Due to California Prop. 12

 Equipped with brand new retail and U.S. Department of Agriculture data reinforcing California Proposition 12’s detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 American pork producers from 23 states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers. Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop.12-driven price increases […]

The post New Data Shows Continued Threat to Food Affordability Due to California Prop. 12 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 16, 2026
Foreign Ownership Isn’t the Story—But It’s Becoming the Signal What the Oklahoma Debate Reveals About the Future of Pork Production

By Jim Eadie – Swine Web Foreign ownership of farmland isn’t new to agriculture. But it’s becoming something else entirely. A signal. Not of who owns the land—but of how the pork industry is increasingly being shaped by forces outside the barn. The Narrative Is Growing—Faster Than the Reality Across the U.S., foreign land ownership […]

The post Foreign Ownership Isn’t the Story—But It’s Becoming the Signal What the Oklahoma Debate Reveals About the Future of Pork Production appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 16, 2026
Research on piglet microbiota, mortality at ESPHM 2026

NOVUS to share research on piglet microbiota and mortality at ESPHM 2026. The diet of a post-weaning piglet requires a careful balance of nutrition for growth and additive solutions that can aid their young gut through a challenging transition. NOVUS will release new findings at the 17th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2026 […]

The post Research on piglet microbiota, mortality at ESPHM 2026 appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 16, 2026
Indiana Pork Is Quietly Testing a Model the Industry May Need

By Swine Web Across the pork industry, there’s a growing realization: The next generation isn’t lacking interest. They’re lacking structured entry points into leadership. And that’s where a series of recent efforts coming out of the Indiana Pork Producers Association stands out—not because of any one event, but because of the pattern behind them. This […]

The post Indiana Pork Is Quietly Testing a Model the Industry May Need appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Apr 16, 2026