January2024 - Journal-No PN Final WEB - Flipbook - Page 11
Business
Being able to interpret data,
and making sure to look within
genetics, time periods, and
health status gives a more
accurate picture of potential
causes and focus areas for
improvement. Trying to compare
groups with different health
statuses can lead to incorrect
conclusions.
Additionally, you have
to make sure that you have
enough data to 昀椀gure out if
the difference is ‘real’ or just
chance. Sometimes numerical
differences are still economically
important, but that is where you
need a full picture of the data
being analyzed before drawing
conclusions.
For example, if you looked
at the data below, I’m sure you
would choose Sire Line A, but
this doesn’t tell you if Sire Line B
suffered from more downstream
PRRS breaks.
With our FarmStats database,
we have enough pigs and
groups (3.7 million pigs in
2023) to allow for some really
robust data analysis. But,
for that next level of insight,
and to determine if numerical
differences are valid, we need
to make sure we have a good
perspective of the system being
analyzed.
Are barns stocked at the
same densities? Do they have
the same feeder type? Are they
fed different levels of fat or
energy? Without that additional
information, we cannot provide
the additional insight that can
help take your operation to the
next level.
I encourage you to have
conversations with any
consultant you are working with
and share as much as possible
about your operation. More data
can lead to more information to
help you make better informed
decisions. With current market
conditions, maintaining your
perspective, and making smart
economic decisions are more
important than ever.
WINTER 2024 | 11
