Farmer Focus: Farms are the losers if vets aren’t vetted
Tony Bayles © Tim Scrivener The work on ensuring that we are compliant with the water regulations is ongoing. The more we do, the more seems to appear to need doing.
Tracing the mains within the roof spaces of old buildings is not easy and very time-consuming. All this effort is to ultimately show which pipe carries mains or header tank water.
So far the introduction of double-check valves has resulted in a reduction in water flow and is causing us issues with the pressure washers. We may have to look at alternative ways of supplying water. We will start work on the other pig buildings this week.
Vetting vets
Over the years we have taken on veterinary students on a regular basis as part of their training. I do this because I strongly believe that unless as farmers we take part in the training of the future vets then we are the ultimate losers.
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Some may test our skills, patience, knowledge and will to live, but it is worth it. Recently Emily was one of the better ones and we wish her well with her future. Sadly – on my part at least – I think that the dairy industry is going to benefit from her skills rather than the pig sector.
Best service routine
The changes we made in our service routine several weeks ago appear to be bearing fruits. The last three scans have been the best we have ever achieved and, coupled with a much-reduced return rate, our conception rate once again looks healthy.
The same is also true of the alterations we made in the farrowing area, which have resulted in lower mortality, improved piglet quality at birth and fewer disease issues. We assume that the reduction in mortality and disease challenges is as a direct result of better colostrum intakes.
The only downside has been an increase in the length of pregnancy, which means some sows are out of sequence at weaning. This seems a small price to pay.
Well, I’m off to finish my Easter egg.
Tony Bayles runs a herd of 1,000 sows producing 7kg pigs and all his own replacement stock on contract to a large local producer.