28 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | February 2024 Review and adjust feed medications protocols Feed rations change over time, so be sure to account for any feed medications that need to be proportionally adjusted too. Evaluating the necessity and benefit of any feed medication is also recommended. Be strategic about the use of feed medications and make sure they are showing a positive return on investment, because if they aren’t, removing them can be an easy cost-saving action. Evaluate cost of injectable versus water medication Administering medication through water sources can be efficient, but it may not always be the most costeffective. Comparing the cost of water medication versus injectables that can offer similar treatment outcomes can be beneficial. Maximize vaccine efficiency Vaccines are the cornerstone for building immunity in livestock production. In hog herds, growing pig vaccine use remains a significant driver of pharmaceutical cost and offers an obvious opportunity to evaluate efficiencies. Conduct a focused review on what, when, and how vaccines are being administered by consulting your veterinarian and herd health team to optimize your protocols. Improve rodent control Have you ever considered how much hog feed is being lost to rodents? Depending on the rodent population in a barn and surrounding outbuildings or feed storage areas, producers could be losing thousands of dollars of feed each year. Investing in effective rodent control may not only reduce feed loss and save money, but the benefits also extend to biosecurity, herd health and reducing the risk of disease transmission. Flow Logistics and Barn Locations Comparing your production location(s) with the final destination of the hogs being produced and the cost associated with transporting the animals could make a producer pause for thought. Ask yourself, where is the right location to be raising hogs to optimize transport costs and maximize net margin per pig? Reviewing production practices and processes shouldn’t just be an exercise during challenging economic times, but it does make sense and could help producers uncover extra dollars in savings and increase efficiencies. “Making the time to evaluate now can pay off in the months ahead,” as Metzger advised. BP June 19 & 20, 2024 www.porkcongress.on.ca Have a passion for the swine industry? Interested in volunteering? Please contact us at admin@porkcongress.on.ca SWINE HEALTH ONTARIO SWINE HEALTH ONTARIO Swine Health Ontario is a leadership team focused on improving and coordinating the industry’s ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to serious swine health threats in the province.
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