Benchmark data enables producers to make necessary adjustments to their herds
Schae Greenzweig
PigCHAMP
“A benchmark without the finer details is an exercise in futility,” said Dr. David Nolan, DVM when asked to expand on the importance of a strong understanding of farm data. In 2001, PigCHAMP started its Benchmarking program with the goal of compiling data from hundreds of thousands of pigs into convenient quarterly and yearly summary reports. Fifteen years later, his unique program still allows users to compare their customized business report to industry averages. It’s free to our PigCHAMP participants and gets highlighted each year in our annual Benchmark Magazine.
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Last week, the second quarter data was released to customers, with over 350 farms participating by sending in their farms’ information. This quarter, we have a summarized report for both Canada and the United States. The report outlines twenty-nine different data points for each country and give the mean, standard deviation, median, upper tenth percentile and lower tenth percentile for each key performance indicator or KPI.
With so many KPIs and years’ worth of data for comparison, producers using the PigCHAMP program are able to make necessary adjustments to their herds. Data provided by the Benchmarking program will continue to be crucial as operators improve their herds and track different trends related to a number of production practices within the swine industry.
To access the second quarter Benchmarking data, and data collected from PigCHAMP users around the globe over the past 15 years, visit the Benchmarking section of the PigCHAMP website. If you’re interested in participating or would like more information, feel free to contact Susan at benchmarking@pigchamp.com.