Comments for Brumm Speaks Out

Comment on The weaning age controversy by admin

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:55:47 +0000

The issue of days in the nursery is related in part to the equipment, mostly fans and feeders. All too often nursery feeders have relatively small feeder holes and if we hold pigs longer, feed access is an issue. As to fans, many times nursery ventilation systems have been designed with 35 cfm/pig maximum capacity. If we keep pigs longer, in warm weather we may not be able to remove the heat associated with bigger pigs and end up with heat stress.

Wean-finish facilities solve the above 2 problems, but come with their own concerns. Unless double-stocking is utilized, it can be more expensive to go with single stock wean-finish vs nursery moved to finisher. How to meet the environmental needs of health challenged pigs in very cold weather in wean-finish is another example that I often see.

As to the shape of the daily gain curve for pigs, it depends in part on the nutrition program, the stocking density and the genetics. In the US, the average stocking density is 7.2 sqft/pig. Based on research data, it is predicted that daily feed intake and daily gain will decrease due to space effects when the average wt of all pigs in the pen is around 200 lb. Thus, space limitations often result in daily gain peaking around 180 lb, regardless of the genetic potential of the pig.

Comment on The weaning age controversy by Matt

Matt — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:36:15 +0000

Is there an advantage to leaving the pigs in the nursery longer? Why? Why not?

If there is, why doesn’t industry move to all wean-to-finish facilities? Or, if not, to all nursery and finishing facilities?

At what point does the pig’s ADG rate flatten out, or even decrease?

Comment on A personal story this week by Dave Anderson

Dave Anderson — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Mike,
I grew up in Hector MN, I love the state, and now, after reading your story, am even more proud to claim Minnesota as my home. Wishing Liz and all your family the very best. Dave

Comment on Commentary on USDA Hogs and Pigs report by Mark Grant

Mark Grant — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:32:21 +0000

I would like receive your Commentary on USDA Hogs and Pigs report, when it is published. Thank you, Mark Grant, ARA

Comment on Pit Foaming Problems by Stuart Heller

Stuart Heller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:58 +0000

Doug:
We are chemical manufacturers (we manufacture Synergize Disinfectant) and have been doing some preliminary work with specially developed defoaming agents. The results have been extremely promising. I will have more complete results by Dec. 2. Feel free to contact me at 678-491-0880 and I can fill you in on the details.

Comment on A personal story this week by Mark Sample

Mark Sample — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:32:41 +0000

Mike,
Best wishes to your family during this transition process. I know it will be difficult.

Comment on Pit Foaming Problems by Doug Mears

Doug Mears — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:32:29 +0000

We are having trouble with foam in our pits. We have 2 quad barns each with 4/1000 head rooms. We tried diesel and it did not work. I read you use crop oil. What is the sucess of using this? Please email me back as soon as you can. Thanks,

Comment on Who will be the first to quit? by Tom Long

Tom Long — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:56:14 +0000

G’day Mike! As usual, you have a knack of cutting to the chase. Enjoyed reading your blogs and think you are correct in observing that everyone seems to be waiting for someone else “to blink”. The next month or two will be interesting.

Comment on Who will be the first to quit? by Lynn Becker

Lynn Becker — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:53:42 +0000

Hey Mike! Looks like I’m the first to blog with you! Once the word gets out, I’m sure that we will see lively dialog on a variety of topics. I’m looking forward to it and hope that other producers are as well.

From what I’m seeing and hearing, your above comments are right on. Lots of “talk”, but little action in liquidation. Finishing spaces are actually difficult to find.

Happy blogging!