Facilities

Scientists Develop Virus to Prevent House Flies from Reproducing

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:47:00 +0000

Source: Agricultural Research Service

If you raise livestock, you know that flies can be unwelcome visitors to your farming operation. In addition to being a nuisance, house flies are capable of transmitting animal and human pathogens that can lead to foodborne diseases, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigellabacteria. The clever pests are good at developing resistance to insecticides and larvae are often buried deep within their particular food source, therefore avoiding exposure to sprays.

Second Largest Canadian Pork Producer Phasing Out Gestation Stalls

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:26:00 +0000

Source: Meatingplace.com

Meatingplace.com reports that Quebec-based pork processor Olymel will progressively phase out using gestation stalls for pregnant sows in breeding facilities by 2022, according to Humane Society International/Canada. Olymel entered an agreement to acquire Big Sky Farms, Inc., the largest independent hog producer in Western Canada last October.

Summerizing Hog Barns

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:18:00 +0000

By Larry D. Jacobson, Extension Agricultural Engineer, University of Minnesota

Keeping pigs cool through the hot, humid spells of summer can improve growth, reproductive performance and meat quality.

While the time and effort placed on winterizing hog facilities is well spent, from an economic standpoint, there are probably more reasons to prepare barns for the summer’s heat. An estimate of the economic loss from heat stress for various U.S. livestock industries, conducted by Norm R. St-Pierre and associates at Ohio State University in 2003, showed the average annual loss due to heat stress was costing the pork industry about $300 million.

Pork Checkoff Presents Sow Housing Webinars

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Source; Pork Checkoff

Eight webinars delving into group sow housing options are being presented by Pork Checkoff this spring.

The free, 45-minute webinars begin at 1 p.m. central standard time and provide an opportunity to ask questions following the presentations.

The webinars consist of:

Facing the Challenges of Foaming Manure Pits

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:37:00 +0000

An Iowa State University researcher explains the perplexing problem of manure pit foaming in swine buildings.

January 2013 New Products: Rodenticide

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:16:00 +0000

Compiled by Joe Vansickle

Liphatech, Inc. introduces its most advanced rodenticide: Revolver Soft Bait.

January 2013 New Products: Skid-Steer Loaders

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:08:00 +0000

Compiled by Joe Vansickle

Bobcat Company has introduced the 500 frame-size skid-steer loader and compact track loaders.

When Should You Get an Energy Audit for Your Farm?

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:39:00 +0000

Source: University of Missouri

Farmers should consider getting an evaluation of energy use on their farm about every five years and look at ways to cut energy consumption, says Don Day, energy extension associate for University of Missouri Extension.

However, the need for an energy audit may vary from farm to farm, Day says. For example, if you already had an energy audit conducted on your farm, even if it was five or more years ago, it will continue to provide accurate information regarding potential energy savings until you make changes that affect energy usage.

Developing New Tools to Assist in Sow Housing Conversion

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:29:00 +0000

Source: Farmscape

The University of Manitoba is developing new tools to help pork producers plan the switch from stall housing to group housing of gestating sows to design the system that will best work in their barns, according to a report from Farmscape of Canada.

Take Steps to Prevent Roof Collapses Due to Snow

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Source: University of Minnesota

The winter of 2012-13 could be the time for the Midwest to get hit by heavy snow and ice storms, which can leave large amounts of snow and ice on roofs of agricultural buildings, according to University of Minnesota agricultural engineers Larry D. Jacobson and Kevin A. Janni.