Fine-tuning hog operations
Small improvements in hog production can have a big impact on the bottom line. For example, consider how changes in production might affect a 100 sow farrow-to-finish operation. Assume:
- 2.1 litres per sow with 10 born alive per litter.
- 10 percent pre-weaning death loss.
- 18.9 pigs weaned per sow per year and 18 market hogs sold.
- 32.5 percent replacement rate.
- One percent post-weaning death in nursery, grower and finisher.
- 172 days to market; $143 per ckg, (65-cent per lb.) market; 106 grade..
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In this case, changes in production or other parameters can have the following effects on profit:
- Increase litters/sow/year by 0.1 – $6,308.
- Increase numbers born alive by 0.5 pigs per litter – $6,886.
- Reduce feed costs by $10/tonne – $8,475.
- Decrease preweaning death loss by one percent – $1,550.
Prices also have a large effect on increased profit. For example, a five cent per pound increase in this example would result in $21,437 in increased profit.
Another question to ask is: How much should be paid for a boar? If a boar increases the index by two index points, the boar will bring in an extra $2,600 per year. If an extra $400 is paid for him, it is well worth it.
If a superior boar improves litter size by one pig, days to market by five days, feed conversion by 0.15, index by two points and kill-out by one percent, it will bring in an extra $6,400. Paying $600, versus $300, may be well worthwhile.
Manitoba Agriculture has cash flow programs to help analyze changes in farm production. Feel free to call the swine specialist.
– Manitoba Swine Update
Protecting trees from deer
Deer can cause extensive damage to ornamental and shelterbelt trees during winter, by browsing on twigs. Young seedlings can be browsed to ground level and large trees can be disfigured. Deer can also cause damage in early fall by rubbing their antlers against the trees and removing bark.
Tree guards and repellents are the most common methods used to prevent deer damage, and tree guards are the most effective. The disadvantage is they are often expensive, time consuming to install and are only practical for a small number of trees.
For small trees, burlap, meshed chicken wire or other similar products can be wrapped around the tree to provide complete protection.
For large trees, a 1.2 metre (four-foot) snow fence can be placed around the perimeter. To provide protection for a row of trees, snow fence can be placed along both sides and at the ends of a shelterbelt. This also provides extra soil moisture through snow buildup.
Repellents used to prevent tree damage by deer fall into the odorous and distasteful categories.
Deer dislike odorous repellents. These are placed on or around trees. Human hair, bars of soap and mothballs can be put in nylon bags and hung on trees. Cat feces and bloodmeal are also used.
Repellents are applied directly to trees on a dry day late in the fall when temperatures are above freezing. Deer take a bite of the tree, don’t like its taste and seek another food source.
Several repellents available from garden centres or nurseries are: Big Game Repellent, Deer Away, Ropel and Skoot.
For these and other pest control measures, contact the PFRA Shelterbelt Centre in Indian Head, Sask. at 306-695-2284.
– PFRA
