Pork Productivity; Watch
The Sow, Producer Says
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
EL VERSON (Chester Co.) To a pork producer such as
Nelson Beam, it’s important to keep an eye on the health of
the sows.
One sow produces, on average, about 5,691 pounds of
pork on his farm per year. At 41 cents a pound, that means
an equivalent of $2,333 worth of “other white meat.”
Investment in health strategies to improve the productiv
ity and longevity of a sow “can impact quite a few dollars of
farm income,” Beam said during an interview at his farm.
Beam, who cares for about 220 sows on his farm near
Elverson, said he doesn’t baby the sows. Beam noted that his
sow management simply means checking their food, overall
comfort, and watching the farrowing when necessary to
ensure good litter size, improved pig performance, and
other factors.
A critical health factor is keeping an eye on temperature
fluctuations in the house. During the summer, though the
computer controls can read 80 degrees, the temperature can
climb to 83-84 degrees without proper adjustment. Tem
perature control remains an ongoing management proce
dure at the farm.
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(Turn to Pag* 58)
Nelson Beam also has a beef finishing operation.
He finishes about 400 Angus-based crossbreds per
year. The cattle are sold to Moyer Packing. Outside
the feedlot he stands with son Joshua. Photo by
Andy Andrews
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