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
Hogs reversed to sideways to higher trend

Market showing signs of a change of direction.  Outside days, reversals, & breaking trend lines could contribute evidence of the turn.  Increasing volume would confirm the change whereas decreasing volume would indicate the move is temporary.   Walt Breitinger, Commodity Futures Broker  “Pinion Futures, LLC d/b/a Breitinger & Sons” 800.411.FUTURES (3888) www.indianafutures.com

The post Hogs reversed to sideways to higher trend appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 27, 2026
The U.S. Hog Industry Isn’t Expanding — It’s Getting Sharper

The latest hog inventory numbers don’t signal growth. They signal discipline. At a glance, the industry looks steady — herd size holding, production stable. But underneath, something more important is happening: The industry is producing more — without getting bigger. Recent data reflects a stable overall inventory with a slightly tighter breeding herd, while productivity […]

The post The U.S. Hog Industry Isn’t Expanding — It’s Getting Sharper appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 27, 2026
90 Years Later — Why Small Processors Were Never the Weak Link

In an industry built on efficiency and scale, small meat lockers were often seen as outdated — a relic of a different era. But after years of disruption, one thing is becoming clear: They were never the weak link — they were the backup plan. Jake’s Meat Locker, founded in 1936 in Sibley, Iowa, has […]

The post 90 Years Later — Why Small Processors Were Never the Weak Link appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 27, 2026
SHIC/AASV Webinar Highlights Importance of Rapid Diagnosis for Senecavirus A and Foot-and-Mouth Disease

A recent webinar hosted by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) is reinforcing a critical message for producers and veterinarians: when it comes to vesicular disease, speed matters. The session focused on the growing presence of Senecavirus A (SVA) and its similarities to Foot-and-Mouth Disease […]

The post SHIC/AASV Webinar Highlights Importance of Rapid Diagnosis for Senecavirus A and Foot-and-Mouth Disease appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 27, 2026
Design Decisions That Influence Performance Over Time Why the Most Successful Swine Facilities Start with Systems Thinking

Across the pork industry, a quiet shift is underway in how producers think about facilities. For decades, barn construction largely focused on installing the right equipment and ensuring animals had the necessary space and environment to perform. But as production systems have evolved, so too has the understanding that the design of a barn is […]

The post Design Decisions That Influence Performance Over Time Why the Most Successful Swine Facilities Start with Systems Thinking appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 26, 2026
New Research Aims to Refine Antibiotic Use in Swine Production

New research funding is set to bring greater clarity and precision to antibiotic use in livestock production, with direct implications for swine producers focused on long-term herd health and performance. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, through the International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture, has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to advance […]

The post New Research Aims to Refine Antibiotic Use in Swine Production appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 26, 2026
Stabilizing the Pork Supply Chain: A Manufacturing-First Perspective

Pork production today operates with extraordinary precision. Producers closely monitor genetics performance, feed conversion, herd health, and barn environmental conditions with remarkable accuracy. Across North America, the industry has invested heavily in technologies and management systems designed to improve efficiency and predictability inside the barn. Yet one critical part of the system often receives far […]

The post Stabilizing the Pork Supply Chain: A Manufacturing-First Perspective appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 26, 2026
What Successful AI Implementation Looks Like in the Protein Industry | Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry

In this conversation, Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, explores what separates successful AI implementation from early experimentation across the protein industry. As producers begin integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, the most effective implementations share common themes: strong data foundations, practical use cases, and a focus on solving real operational challenges. Ben discusses why data […]

The post What Successful AI Implementation Looks Like in the Protein Industry | Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Mar 26, 2026