An epidemic is plaguing the pork industry. Unfortunately, few people are talking about it and fewer are doing anything about it. A few simple steps, however, can save time, money, increase profitability, improve herd health and stop this issue from spreading. It's proper barn maintenance, and it's more important than you think. Swine facilities are a costly investment and like any investment, you get out of it what you put into it. Just as you regularly service your vehicle (at least I hope you do), it's important to regularly service your hog barns, and it doesn't require a full-time crew to do it.
If It's Broken, Fix It ... and Grease It
That's the simple advice Mike Brumm, owner of Brumm Swine Consultancy Inc., offers producers.
"Don't be blind to building maintenance," he says. Pig care is at the forefront of the industry, but lack of building maintenance makes pig care more difficult. Poor maintenance can damage a producer's reputation and, in some cases, lead to contracts being terminated.
Little fixes now can save big money later. For example, if concrete slats deteriorate, hogs being to develop feet and leg problems. Brumm says using a concrete sealer at major wear points--under drinkers, around feeders/feed saver mats, etc.--after power washing the barn, can save hundreds and protect hogs from injury. For a 2,400-head barn, a $40 fix prolongs the life of several $300+ concrete slats.
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"Being proactive is so much better than getting stuck with a big bill to fix everything that's been ignored," says Justin Wagster, field manager with JBS. Producers also risk extensive downtime, which ultimately costs them even more money.
"Your biggest concern is anything that's power driven." Wagster says.
Fans, feed motors, curtain machines, controllers and similar elements play a critical role in how a group of pigs performs. It's imperative mechanical equipment remains in working order at all times. Additionally, if it has moving parts, odds are it also has a grease zerk. A grease gun belongs in a hog barn and plays a significant role in maintaining all those moving parts, increasing their longevity.
It's not just the mechanics, Wagster says, producers need to look at the barn as a while. Put eyes on everything, he advises.
Make it a habit to look at the barn, not just the pigs, and encourage your employees to do the same. Keeping a maintenance record will ultimately save time, improve herd health and reduce downtime by preventing big breakdowns before they happen.
Vital Ventilation
The environment in a hog barn will determine pig health, and ventilation is the key driver Wagster says. A good environment equates to a healthy herd, and by making maintenance a regular part of your cleanout process, you give every group the best chance possible.
"The better the environment those pigs are presented with, the less issue you will have with them," he says.
Mike Terpstra, service technician with Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement, says general ventilation is important not only for air quality but the life of your barn. The pit produces gases that will deteriorate your barn without proper ventilation. Terpstra says he sees too many producers try to save money on LP gas by turning their ventilation down, or their pit fans off during the winter. Those dollars are eating away at their barn in addition to creating an unhealthy environment for the pigs and workers. It impacts the entire electrical system and will deteriorate anything that's not stainless steel. His assessment: Those few bucks aren't worth it.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," says Jack Kirk, owner of Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement. He notes producers should expect to get at least 10 years use on gates and 20 years on concrete slats. He has seen barns from the 1970s that are still in use and in great condition. Producers can easily turn 15-year barns into 30-year barns with routine maintenance and a few preventative measures.
Follow these steps to ensure your barn stays viable:
- Visually inspect the barn
- Look at feeders and feedlines
- Check welds that could be working loose
- Check T-bolt or slat mounts
- Maintain bait boxes
- Write it all down
Making maintenance part of a regular routine and having a daily punch list will make the work easier and keep the barn in optimal condition, which will ultimately put money in your pocket. "If you're not taking care of your building," Terstra says, "you're just knocking years off the life of it."
This investment will generate revenue. Keeping your pig barns in good working order means they will continue to pay you long after they're paid off.
Download a free Maintenance Schedule PDF at PorkMatters.com
This article by Jo Windmann first appeared in the April 2017 issue of Pork Network magazine, now known as Farm Journal's Pork.
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