Swine

  1. Safe Pork Part 3

    Safe Pork Part 3
    Hormone use in pork production is a really common area of misconception. I have frequently heard statements alluding to the idea that pigs are “pumped” with hormones to make them grow faster. For some reason people are under the impression that pigs couldn’t possibly grow so fast without the aid of additional hormones. It turns out that pigs are actually...
  2. Community Highlights

    Community Highlights
    Community Highlights Pipestone and their employees are always excited to give back to the communities we live and work in.  Here are a few highlights from May: Free Throws for Kids Pipestone held their 2nd annual Free Throws for Kids event.  The free throw competition between Pipestone departments is a fun way to help raise money for a great cause.  For every...
  3. Iron Needs in the Pig

    Iron Needs in the Pig
    By: Dr. Adam Schelkopf  Have you ever wondered why we give piglets iron?  Who would give the piglet iron if we were not there to provide it?  These are good questions and fortunately ones we have answers to so you can best weigh your options when it comes to iron. Iron is essential for the pig because it allows the pig...
  4. Keep Biosecurity Top of Mind

    Keep Biosecurity Top of Mind
    World Pork Expos is here and county fair, and livestock show season is around the corner.  These are great events that celebrate agriculture and our rural communities.  We at Pipestone encourage everyone to attend and support these events. The presence of swine at these events poses a biosecurity risk for all of us that work on and visit hog farms. ...
  5. Safe Pork- Part 2

    Antibiotics Before talking about antibiotic use in pigs, I think it is important to make sure we are all on the same page regarding a couple of foundational facts. Every farmer and Veterinarian would like to have healthy pigs all the time. Farmers and Veterinarians who work with pigs use vaccines, cleanliness, biosecurity, proper environment etc. to keep pigs as...
  6. Safe Pork

    Safe Pork
    Part 1 When I was a VERY visibly pregnant swine vet (see photo of my coveralls stretching to their max), I would get funny questions all the time about when I would introduce my baby to the pork industry. I liked to joke about introducing my newborn baby to bacon and ham sandwiches, and of course I couldn’t wait for...
  7. Focusing on Business Basics Allows Family Farm to Thrive

    Focusing on Business Basics Allows Family Farm to Thrive
    Focusing on sound business practices and management strategies has allowed the Schwerin family of Wood Lake, Minnesota, to build the foundation for a farm that provides opportunities for family members today and for generations to come. Dave Schwerin started farming with his father, Harlan Schwerin, in 1978.  They raised corn and soybeans and had a small farrow to finish hog...
  8. Ventilation Guidelines

    Ventilation Guidelines
    With temperatures fluctuating this time of year, ventilation can be tricky business.  Here are some basic guidelines and checklists to keep your pigs healthy and you stress-free.         Fundamentals Curtain Barn 1. Spread fans 1 degree per 10 CFM and max of 4-degree spread 2. Delay to drop curtain 2 degree after fans maxed out 3. Curtain...
  9. Award Highlights

    Award Highlights
    We’ve always been proud of the great group of people working at Pipestone and the farmers we work alongside.  It’s hard not to be with some of the outstanding honors they have received lately! Don Buhl – Siehl Prize Dr. Cameron Schmitt – 40 Under 40 Casey Neill – Early Career Agribusiness Award Jon De Jong - ASAS Midwestern Section Animal Science...
  10. PEDv: Journey from China to United States

    PEDv: Journey from China to United States
    When Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus hit North America in 2013, it had many in the swine industry scratching their heads wondering how and why?  For any of you that were listening during your high school history classes, history tends to repeat itself.  Dr. Scott Dee with Pipestone Applied Research knew that in order to prevent an infectious disease like PEDv...