12 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | December 2023 He may have met his wife on the soccer field, but Mitch Van Engelen gets his kicks in a pig barn these days. Hog-Tied Farms is a true family affair, started by Mitch’s father John in 1979. After studying agriculture at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, Mitch returned to the farm, where his dad had since added a farrowing barn. Mitch has now been full-time at the farm for about 10 years, and is currently engaged in succession planning with John, and Mitch’s sister Cassie, to begin the transition to full ownership. What are your roles on the farm? My sister Cassie – who’s married with two sons – and I both work full-time on the business. I met my wife Candace at a soccer game, and we were married in 2021, welcoming a baby girl Chloe earlier this year. In addition to coaching skating, Candace handles record keeping on the farm, as well as working in the farrowing barn and nursery. Dad deals with sows, feed and maintenance, while Candace’s parents also help out a few days a week. At lunch, we all gather inside for a home-cooked meal from my mom Joan and catch up on the news. How many people do you employ? This is a true family affair, with no hired help outside of the family. Describe your farm office. We have an office with a computer that we use for bookkeeping. All the information from our Electronic Sow Feeders can be accessed from the computer, including heat detection and feed alerts, automated pig sorting for the finish operations, and pig performance testing. This allows us to stay on top of general herd health from day to day. We check the data when we come in each morning to see if sows are in heat and which pigs are gaining or losing weight. What's on your desk? Aside from the computer, there are various papers like breeding records and information on vaccinations. At Mitch with his wife Candace and their daughter Chloe. Mitch Van Engelen photo Nutrient Loss FARMING TOGETHER 24/7 & LOVING IT Working together sets them apart. By Geoff Geddes UP CLOSE
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