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
Ontario Hog Market Trends: Prices Continue to Ease as 2025 Wraps Up

Week Ending November 28, 2025Presented for OMAFRA by Swine Web Ontario hog markets continued their late-fall softening trend in the week ending November 28, with formula prices, cutouts, and feeder pig values all posting declines. Here are the key developments producers need to know. Ontario Market Prices Slide Again The 100% Base Formula Price dropped […]

The post Ontario Hog Market Trends: Prices Continue to Ease as 2025 Wraps Up appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
Former USDA Scientist Brendan Niemira Appointed Chief Science & Technology Officer at IFT

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has named longtime USDA-ARS research leader Dr. Brendan Niemira as its new Chief Science and Technology Officer, bringing more than 25 years of food safety and innovation experience to the role. Niemira joins IFT after a distinguished career with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, where he led a multidisciplinary research […]

The post Former USDA Scientist Brendan Niemira Appointed Chief Science & Technology Officer at IFT appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

In this episode of CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, […]

The post CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
Registration Now Open for 2026 Ohio Pork Congress

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The post Registration Now Open for 2026 Ohio Pork Congress appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
Cold Weather, Hot Threats: Strengthening Biosecurity, By Lauren Glowzenski, VMD

It is that time of year again when viruses are well preserved in the environment during the cool winter months, and pigs experience their greatest health challenges due to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv). It is predictable: harvest ensues, crops come out of the fields, pits are […]

The post Cold Weather, Hot Threats: Strengthening Biosecurity, By Lauren Glowzenski, VMD appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
MSU swine center ranked fourth nationally, first among land-grants for Yorkshire breeding

Recognition from the National Swine Registry highlights MSU’s leadership in Yorkshire genetics, student training and industry research. Michigan State University’s Swine Teaching and Research Center has been recognized for a third year in a row by the National Swine Registry as the fourth highest Yorkshire recorder in the country, and the highest among all land-grant […]

The post MSU swine center ranked fourth nationally, first among land-grants for Yorkshire breeding appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
New Farmer Aid Package Expected Within Weeks as Economists Warn of Long-Term Risks

A new round of federal assistance for U.S. farmers is expected to be announced within the next two weeks, according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The package—still without confirmed details—is aimed at easing pressure from low commodity prices, high input costs, and ongoing trade uncertainty. While crop producers continue to face the sharpest impacts […]

The post New Farmer Aid Package Expected Within Weeks as Economists Warn of Long-Term Risks appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
Ceva Sounds Swine: The healthy sow at farrowing

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The post Ceva Sounds Swine: The healthy sow at farrowing appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
Stronger Together: How Collaboration Is Transforming Swine Disease Preparedness in Western Canada

The Saskatchewan pork sector is entering a new era of disease preparedness as producers, veterinarians, and government partners work more closely than ever to guard against both endemic and foreign animal diseases. At the recent Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2025 in Saskatoon, provincial leaders highlighted how coordination and communication across the industry have strengthened dramatically […]

The post Stronger Together: How Collaboration Is Transforming Swine Disease Preparedness in Western Canada appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Dec 01, 2025
University of Missouri Study Highlights Practical Alternatives to Full-Body Showers in Swine Barn Biosecurity

New research out of the University of Missouri is offering fresh insight into how different barn-entry biosecurity setups can help keep pathogens out of hog barns — and how producers without full-body shower facilities can still reach a high level of protection. The project evaluated multiple entrance systems commonly used across the industry and compared […]

The post University of Missouri Study Highlights Practical Alternatives to Full-Body Showers in Swine Barn Biosecurity appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Nov 28, 2025