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
Episode #84: How to Identify Sick Pigs Early

SWINETIME — EPISODE #84 How to Identify Sick Pigs Early In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, staff veterinarian and Pipestone Holdings owner Dr. Spencer Wayne is joined by fellow veterinarian and partner Dr. Joseph Yaros for a practical discussion on one of the most critical aspects of swine production: identifying sick pigs early and […]

The post Episode #84: How to Identify Sick Pigs Early appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 09, 2026
Farm Economy Set to Stabilize in 2026, But Tight Margins Persist

As 2026 gets underway, U.S. agricultural economists see signs that the broader farm economy is stabilizing after several challenging years, though a full recovery remains uncertain and uneven across sectors. Recent economic indicators show that the downward slide seen in much of the farm sector has leveled off. Month-to-month sentiment among agricultural economists is improving […]

The post Farm Economy Set to Stabilize in 2026, But Tight Margins Persist appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 09, 2026
Triumph Foods Strengthens Leadership with Strategic Executive Promotions

By Swine Web Triumph Foods has announced a series of key executive promotions designed to strengthen the company’s leadership and support continued growth in the U.S. pork industry. In moves that emphasize internal development and operational expertise, the company has elevated two seasoned professionals to expanded leadership roles focused on maintaining performance excellence and driving […]

The post Triumph Foods Strengthens Leadership with Strategic Executive Promotions appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 09, 2026
U.S. Midwest PRRS Outbreak Expected to Tighten Pork Supplies This Summer

An aggressive strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) circulating through the U.S. Midwest is expected to significantly reduce pork production as the industry moves into the summer months, according to industry observers. PRRS remains one of the most costly and disruptive diseases in pork production, causing reproductive failure in sows and severe respiratory […]

The post U.S. Midwest PRRS Outbreak Expected to Tighten Pork Supplies This Summer appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 09, 2026
Treating Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD): Picking the Right Treatment for Your Herd By: Elanco Staff

Swine respiratory disease (SRD) poses a persistent threat to pork producers globally, as it is both difficult to properly treat and economically debilitating. When it comes to combating SRD, producers are not alone in determining what treatment from the SRD toolbox makes the most sense for their operation. SRD impacts swine operations differently, so producers […]

The post Treating Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD): Picking the Right Treatment for Your Herd By: Elanco Staff appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026
How consumer data, flavor trends, and smart marketing are helping pork win with the next generation.

How consumer data, flavor trends, and smart marketing are helping pork win with the next generation. https://popularpig.com/2026/01/08/taste-data-and-the-future-of-pork-kiersten-hafer/

The post How consumer data, flavor trends, and smart marketing are helping pork win with the next generation. appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026
New Peer Program Targets One of the Most Stressful Challenges Facing Hog Producers: Succession

Succession planning remains one of the most complex — and stressful — challenges facing Canadian hog producers. A new peer-based program launching this winter aims to change that by helping farm families approach transition planning with greater clarity, confidence, and support. The program, called Groundworks, is funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Producer Wellbeing Initiative […]

The post New Peer Program Targets One of the Most Stressful Challenges Facing Hog Producers: Succession appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026
Wakefield Pork Recognizes Team Members for Work Anniversaries

👏 Congratulations to the employees at Wakefield Pork, Inc. being recognized for their work anniversaries. In an industry where experience, consistency, and people matter, recognizing long-term team members is more than a milestone — it’s an acknowledgment of the knowledge and commitment that keep operations running strong. Well done to the Wakefield Pork team for […]

The post Wakefield Pork Recognizes Team Members for Work Anniversaries appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026
2026: Why This Feels Like a Turning Point — Not a Bounce By Jim Eadie

The swine industry has lived through enough cycles to know the difference between optimism and noise. Post-COVID recovery taught us that lesson quickly. When markets reopened, confidence didn’t return overnight — it returned when companies started making forward commitments again. Hiring. Planning. Investing selectively. That same pattern is reappearing now. We’ve Seen This Before — […]

The post 2026: Why This Feels Like a Turning Point — Not a Bounce By Jim Eadie appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026
Finding balance: What is good for the animals is good for production

Jen-Yun Chou – This is Part 1 of the ‘Barn Insights Series’, which focuses on practical solutions to group sow housing. In this first part, Jen-Yun describes her visit to Marcel Egli’s sow barn in Ontario. They use a system with individual feeding stalls and a large common area bedded with straw. They feed four […]

The post Finding balance: What is good for the animals is good for production appeared first on Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary, and Technical Info.

Jan 08, 2026