Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of Chinese visitors at the
new farm for our first official farm tour. I couldn't tell who was more excited for the tour - me or the Chinese! I love doing these types of things when the opportunity arises!
The Chinese delegates were actually part of a group of upper management professionals from a pig operation in China - however, from what I understand the United States is quite a bit more modernized when it comes to pork production facilities - so they wanted to see a modern U.S. barn.
We took the group on a tour of our 600-sow (momma pig) breed-to-wean farm (meaning we only keep the momma pigs and their babies (piglets) until they are old enough to wean and then they move to a nursery).
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| For the first part of the tour, we visited the farrowing (birthing) barn, where the baby pigs are born until they are weaned and then moved to a nursery barn. |
You will notice our Chinese guests are wearing white tyvek suits - this is just one of the many safeguards we have in place for biosecurity purposes. You see, if someone were to bring in a foreign animal disease to our farm, it could be devastating to the health of our pigs.
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| Baby pigs nursing |
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| Momma pig taking a drink from the waterer that we call a "nipple." Yes, I just said, nipple! |
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| Hogs and kisses! |
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| Checking out the flooring that helps keep our sows cool and comfortable. |
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| Babies standing on a heated mat (and under a heat lamp) to keep warm and build up their immunity. |
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| The second part of the tour took place in the gestation (breeding) barn where pigs are bred in individual stalls for their health, safety and for specialized care and nutrition. |
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| Happy, sleepy piggy |
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| Big D on the right, our veterinarian in the middle and a representative from an animal pharma company who coordinated the tour. |
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| Each sow has her very own individual feeder, in case she needs more or less grain then her neighbor who may otherwise steal her grain if she wasn't kept in an individual stall. |
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| First time a limo has been on the farm, ever. |
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| Outside of the farrowing barn |
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Outside of the gestation barn
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We had a great time on the tour! I hope you enjoyed it too!
About the Author
Miss Meggie grew up loving classic country music, big trucks, pretty cows and wild horses. She is a proud 6th generation farmer raising two cowgirls with her farmer hubby on their hog and grain farm in the heart of the Midwest.More...
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4 comments
This is cool Meggie!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great tour! Your barns look awesome! Missing you friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. Here in Ct we are trying to outlaw gestation crates. Each to there own I guess, we raise pigs outside, they are happier, healthier and tastier.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your operation though.
The pigs are not aggressive to each other if given proper space and access to fresh air and sunshine. They are aggressive in an unnatural environment that limits there chance to fulfill their natural instincts.
ReplyDelete