July2024 - Journal FINAL - Flipbook - Page 12
Business
Welcoming
WEAN PIGS
Megan Watts
FarmPro Production Consultant
Pipestone Business
Megan Watts grew up in Stillwater, MN, with a strong involvement in
her local FFA chapter and 4-H. She graduated from the University of
Minnesota, Crookston, and joined PIPESTONE in 2018 and now serves
producers as a Production Consultant with FarmPro.
Preparing for the arrival of new wean pigs to your barn
is an exciting but important process that requires careful
planning. Here9s a step-by-step checklist to ensure
everything is ready:
equipment for any damage or malfunctions.
Repair or replace as needed to ensure everything
is operational.
POST-ARRIVAL PREPARATION
PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST:
Communication
"
"
"
Conorm Arrival Details: Coordinate with the sow
farm to conorm the arrival date and the number of
pigs expected.
Vaccination and Medication: Consult with your
veterinarian to establish a vaccination and
medication protocol. Ensure all necessary supplies
are on hand.
Team Coordination: Communicate with your team
to ensure everyone is aware of the arrival schedule
and their responsibilities. Verify that the barn is
prepared and in good working condition.
Cleaning & Disinfection
"
Barn Preparation: Clean and disinfect the
barn thoroughly at least 48 hours before the
pigs arrive. This helps create a clean and safe
environment for the new arrivals.
"
Equipment Maintenance: Wash and disinfect
all equipment that will come into contact with
the pigs, such as coveralls, boots, and syringes.
Ensure they are ready for immediate use.
Barn and Equipment Inspection
"
Environmental Control: Check and calibrate the
barn9s environmental control system, including
controllers, fans, inlets, heaters, and temperature
probes.
"
Facility Condition: Inspect curtains, generators
(if applicable), gating, nooring, and feed/water
12 | PIPESTONE JOURNAL
Once the pigs arrive, focus on the following:
"
Acclimation: Allow the pigs time to settle into their
new environment.
"
Monitoring: Regularly monitor pig health and
behavior, adjust environmental settings as
necessary.
"
Consultation and Support: Utilize the expertise of
FarmPro production consultants, if available, for
advice on ventilation setup, pig management, and
market preparation.
Following these steps and leveraging expert advice as
needed, you can ensure a smooth transition and optimal
conditions for your new wean pigs. This approach not
only promotes their health and well-being but also
supports successful and efocient pig production on your
farm.
