Oct 2023 - Journal Final - Flipbook - Page 9
Health
production performance, genetic
improvement, product quality
and downstream performance.
Production performance - we
analyze a number of different
metrics, but one that summarizes
it best is pigs out the door. Our
goal is for all multipliers to be
weaning more than 13 pigs/sow
and farrowing 102% of target.
Genetic improvement
- multipliers place heavy
consideration on two metrics at
breeding time: pure line boar
index and pure line sow index.
To generate replacements of the
highest genetic value, we only
take the top 10% of the genetic
sow indexing gilts to produce our
replacements.
Product quality - the goal is to
deliver a high-quality product
to our clients: size matches with
age, solid conformation,
no physical defects,
and external
reproductive
organs
A single
5,000 head
Multiplier
has the potential
to produce
according to expectations (size of
vulva, number of teats). Our goal
is to have less than 1% of our
animals rejected.
Downstream performance 昀椀nal area to measure and quite
honestly the most relevant
is client satisfaction through
analyzing product performance.
A healthy gilt source is not a
new concept, in fact, it is the
foundation on which Pipestone
Management was built. Nearly
30 years ago, PIPESTONE built
its 昀椀rst multiplier with the goal of
providing family farmers access to
healthy, replacement gilts.
Through research and work
with commercial operations,
we have proven just how
much our biosecurity efforts
pay off in helping to control
the health of our pigs. Armed
with the expertise of our team,
PIPESTONE manages four
multiplication farms located
throughout the Midwest. If you
are interested in learning more
about gilt multiplication,
contact Pipestone
Management.
Over the years, the
focus of Pipestone
Management shifted
to commercial
sow farms.
110,000
replacement
gilts,
which
produce
3.3
MILLION
wean pigs
annually!
Fall 2023 | 9
