WINNIPEG – Two trends are working against each other for hog barn operators. At the same time that producers strive to fine tune their feeding programs, they are finding it difficult to find the labour they need to maintain such a plan.
The problem isn’t unique to the Prairies. It’s much the same around the world.
“The labour scene is changing in the hog industry,” said Steven Nelson of Lake Mills, Iowa, in the heart of hog country.
“Innovative hog farmers right across North America are moving toward fully automated feeding systems so the people employed in the operation can do something more productive while the animals are being fed. It’s a manpower issue.”
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Nelson represents Rotecna Products feeding systems. The Rotecna chain feed system for hog barns uses plastic tubes with galvanized chains that pull plastic discs through the tubes.
The discs pull the feed to each feeding station, where gravity drops it to the pig. Nelson said they carry three different feed drop units.
“The basic blue feed drop has an accuracy of a half-pound of feed per animal. The red is the middle priced drop. The green is our highest quality feed drop. It gives an accuracy of an eighth of a lb. of feed per animal.”
The blue and the green can be adjusted with one hand, while the red drop requires two hands to adjust the feed amount, Nelson said.
“The basic setup has 870 linear feet of tube and 24 corners. And you have your choice of feed drop. That should be all you need for just about any hog barn.
“When you get into some of these highly sophisticated barns where they’re feeding four different kinds of feed, then you might need two drive units with multiple lines. But the cost effectiveness of that kind of feeding program isn’t fully proven yet.”
Nelson said a key component of the Rotecna system is the prestressed chain.
It eliminates chain stretch as the system gets older and also reduces downtime throughout the life of the system.
“It’s very easy to tighten the drive chain with the Rotecna. If you want more chain tension, you simply turn a crank. There’s none of this business of cutting the chain to remove links.”
The removable cover at every corner is another useful feature. The operator opens the spring-loaded snaps and removes the cover for inspection or to clean out a plug.
“This is a lot quicker compared to the typical procedure of using wrenches to dismantle the corners. There’s no bolts or nuts to lose on the ground. It just snaps open and then snaps shut again.”
Nelson said there is little reason to open the covers. Rotecna chain feeds have been sold in North America for six years with little downtime for maintenance.
“As for plugs, our customers tell us that you’ve got to have really wet, heavy feed to get it to plug up. Normally, it just doesn’t plug.”
For more information, contact Steven Nelson at 641-592-1212 or e-mail at americanrl@wctatel.net.
