Challenging economic times were reflected in the type of products introduced to the pork industry at the 21st annual World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA. The 2009 National Hog Farmer World Pork Expo New Product Review Panel found that the companies were working to fine-tune existing products, sometimes offering a new twist or idea borrowed from non-agricultural product lines that made common products work better for pork producers.

This year's New Product Review Panel included: Joel DeRouchey, a Kansas State University Extension environmental management and swine nutrition specialist in Manhattan, KS; Steve Menke, a swine veterinarian and senior partner with the Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic, Ottumwa, IA; Matthew Thome, a farrow-to-finish producer actively involved in the day-to-day operation of his family's farm near Adams, MN; and Joseph Zulovich, a University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineer in Columbia, MO.

Summing up their thoughts about this year's tour, the panel offered these observations:

“I think the show was more focused on smaller ticket items this year,” says Thome.

“Regardless of the economic situation, the people who were making the smaller ticket items seemed to be working hard to improve their product or make something better for the industry,” states Menke.

“There were a lot of interesting products that made sense for producers when you took a closer look at them,” DeRouchey says.

“These were products a lot of people could use. They were not segmented to a particular part of the industry,” Zulovich concludes.

The panel reviewed products that had been introduced to the pork industry within the last year, in order to help highlight products that may be of interest to National Hog Farmer readers. Product nominations were submitted by the companies prior to World Pork Expo. The full list of nominated products and contact information appeared in the May 15, 2009 issue of National Hog Farmer, pages 63-65.

Following is a list of products the panel described as “most promising,” with more details on each in the following pages. Products are not ranked in any particular order.

• Feed Ease Splash Feeder - A.J. O'Mara, LLC

• AP Air Filtration Systems - AP Systems

• SelectDoser Max - Genesis Instruments, Inc.

• Di-Kill - Neogen Corporation

• MasterLine Injector - Neogen Corporation

• Mighty Mack Washer - Swine Robotics, Inc.

• Stainless Steel Door - Thorp Equipment, Inc.

• Vanberg Metal Coatings - Vanberg Specialized Coatings

Di-Kill
Neogen Corporation

Neogen's new Di-Kill rodenticide uses the recently approved, proven-effective active ingredient difenacoum to control Norway rats, roof rats and house mice in and around buildings and inside transport vehicles.

Difenacoum is the only new active ingredient that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved in over 15 years and is also classified as a second-generation rodenticide. The ingredient has been used successfully in other countries prior to obtaining approval in the United States.

Di-Kill is offered in blocks and pellets. Several package size options are available, including 9-lb. and 18-lb. buckets containing ¾-oz. bait chunks, 10-lb. buckets of pellets and 125-count pellet bait packs. Cost varies, but the 10-lb. bucket of pellets costs approximately $28.

Di-Kill's food-grade ingredients are very palatable, thereby enhancing any rodent biosecurity program, says Richard Lang, Neogen Corporation.

“I would like to know more specifics about the active ingredients,” Matthew Thome says. “But it was good to have a different option for rodent control.”

The panel thought the cost seemed to be reasonable based on the product.

Learn more at www.neogen.com. Contact Neogen for the closest dealer or distributor; call (859) 254-1221, ext. 267 or email dmyers@neogen.com.

Mighty Mack Washer
Swine Robotics, Inc.

The Mighty Mack washer from Swine Robotics, Inc. was designed to meet a need in modern swine facilities for pressure washing with speed and labor efficiency. Swine Robotics is bringing simple, car wash technology to the barn by installing an overhead rail above each row of farrowing crates, gestation stalls, nursery or grow-finish pens. The rail system carries a multi-nozzle wash boom capable of cleaning a 6-ft. area at one time. The washer is powered by a 12-volt battery that lasts approximately eight hours before recharging.

Continue on Page 2