Helping pig farmers adapt to changing conditions with innovative solutions

The swine industry has faced new challenges in recent years, and Hog Slat has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to help producers adapt to changing conditions. As a leading provider of swine equipment and services, Hog Slat has focused on designing facilities easily adapted to changing conditions, helping producers maximize their productivity and profitability.

Fritz Richards, the sales director at Hog Slat, discussed the company's approach in a recent building report. "Our goal is to minimize the cost of future conversions; giving customers the most value for their money is the driving force behind everything we do at Hog Slat," he said.

Hog Slat has been a critical player in the building and remodeling of open-pen gestation barns, a testament to its extensive experience and expertise. Over the past 10 years alone, Hog Slat has completed approximately 750,000 sow spaces, with most remodels and updates aimed at meeting higher welfare standards.

Richards emphasized that remodeling barns is not a one-size-fits-all program. "The first and most important factor we look at is the existing style of the floor, partial slatted versus total slatted," he said. "The floor layout makes a huge difference in how we design a pen conversion."

Another factor that Hog Slat considers is whether the farm can add new structures. Meeting Prop 12 specs typically mean the operation will lose between 15 and 30% of sow capacity because of increased space requirements. "We evaluate the best layout for the customer to give them the greatest opportunity to be profitable in the long term," Richards explained.

As the demand for larger spaces to accommodate increasing litter size continues, Hog Slat has risen to the challenge with innovative designs. These designs allow producers to meet this demand without needing new facilities while maintaining the same number of farrowing crates. "Whether it's new construction or remodeling, the center of our focus has become designing facilities that are easily adapted to changing conditions," Richards explained, highlighting the company's commitment to providing practical solutions.

Hog Slat's focus on innovation and customer value is evident in its steel equipment, where the company incorporates different types and sizes of materials to increase life expectancy without increasing cost. The company also integrates new technologies in its feed delivery and ventilation systems to improve energy savings and maintenance costs.

Hog Slat's commitment to providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to help producers adapt to changing conditions has made it a valuable partner in the swine industry. As the industry faces new challenges, Hog Slat's focus on customer value and innovation will continue to drive its success. For more information, you can visit their website at www.hogslat.com.