Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT® Wins University of Nebraska Trial

The University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center, Concord, has conducted several trials during the last few years to help producers make proper feeder and drinker selections. In a recent trial, Dr. Michael C. Brumm and his research team concluded that Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Water Cups reduce water disappearance by 25 percent, cut medication costs by 50 percent and contribute to better feed conversion versus swinging nipple waterers.

The study evaluated the performance of 240 crossbred feeder pigs fed to approximately 250# (113.6 kg), with half of the pigs treated using Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups and half using Ritchie WaterSwing® drinkers. The single-sourced pigs were allocated by arrival weight and sex to 12 mixed-sex pens in two identical, mechanically ventilated buildings at the research center. Pens were 12 x 15' (3.66 x 4.57 m) with 50 percent of the pen area slatted. There were three pens per drinker type in each building. All other conditions, including vaccination and nutrition, were constant.

Total water use was measured by inline water meters for each side of the buildings (cups were allocated to one side, nipple waterers to the other) so water use could be correlated to drinker type.

Improved Water Savings

Pigs on Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups used 1.00 gallons (3.78 l) per pig per day compared to 1.33 (5.03 l) for pigs on the swinging nipple waterers. That's nearly a 25 percent water savings, likely due to decreased waste.

Water Savings
Drinker Type	Water Disappearance Gallons/Pig/Day (liters)
Ritchie WaterSwing®	1.33 (5.03)
Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT®	1.00 (3.78)
	p value 0.60

Reduced Medication Costs

In addition to water savings, the trial demonstrated that the Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT Water Cup reduces medication costs. On day 82 of the trial, an outbreak of swine influenza was diagnosed in all facilities at the research unit. Pigs were water-medicated for four days. Water medication use and medication cost was significantly less for pigs on the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cup vs. the swinging nipple waterer. Pigs on the cup used about half the amount of medication as pigs on the swinging nipple waterers.

Medication Costs
Drinker Type	Medicated Water Disappearance Gallons/Pig/Day (liters)	Drug Cost ($/Pig) USD
Ritchie WaterSwing®	1.958 (7.4)	$.162
Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT®	.988 (3.79)	$0.82
* Albon 12.5% solution @ $42.25/gallon (3.78 l) mixed to deliver 30 gm sulfadimethoxine per 128 gallons (484.34 l) water

Improved Feed Conversion

The Nebraska study also showed improved feed conversion for pigs using Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Water Cups. Farmweld Jumbo Feeders were used for both groups.

The cup group consumed less feed than pigs using the swinging nipple waterers, which resulted efficiency of 2.49 (feed:gain) for the cups. Pigs on the swinging nipple waterer demonstrated a conversion of 2.55 (feed:gain). Average daily gain for each group of pigs was statistically identical.

Earlier trials at the University of Nebraska indicate that other styles of feeder and drinkers also impact performance and water disappearance. In conclusion, it is clear that producers can impact swine performance, medication costs and water disappearance by selecting the proper drinker design.

Nebraska Trial Results
Three Comparisons for Water Disappearance and Performance
Trial	Drinker Type	Water Disappearance Gallons/Pig/Day (liters)	Average Daily Gain lbs (kg)	Feed: Gain (#)
Test #1	Wet/Dry Feeders	1.19 (4.5)	1.72 (.78)	3.05
	Conventional Nipple Bracket w/Standard Dry Feeder	1.60 (6.05)	1.68 (.76)	2.96
	p values:	<.05	<.05	<.005
Test #2	Swinging Nipple Waterer w/Standard Dry Feeder	1.36 (5.15)	1.66 (.755)	3.06
	Conventional Nipple Bracket w/Standard Dry Feeder	1.53 (5.79)	1.65 (.75)	3.09
	p values:	<0.5	>.10	>.10
Test #3	Swinging Nipple Waterer w/Farmweld Jumbo Feeder	1.33 (5.03)	1.83 (.83)	2.55
	Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Water Cup w/Farmweld Jumbo Feeder	1.00 (3.78)	1.81 (.82)	2.49
	p values:	.060	>.10	.095
According to Univ. of Nebraska researcher Michael C. Brumm, p values >. 10 are not significant for these types of trials.

Annual Dollar Savings for 1,000-head Finisher (USD)

Carthage, IL veterinarian Dr. Joe Connor calculated the economic impact of using DRIK-0-MAT Water Cups versus swinging nipple waterers for a typical, 1,000-head grow-finish unit turned 2.8 times per year. According to results obtained in the Nebraska research trial, producers can expect to earn $414 per year in water savings alone, assuming a water cost of $3.50/1,000 gal. (3.78 dal). Medication cost savings will vary with treatment duration, cost of therapy and wastage due to palatability. Assuming a medication treatment similar to the study's (4 days treatment at a cost of $42.25/gal. (3.78 l), dosage 30 g/ per 128 gal. [484.34 l] water), the annual medication savings would be $232. Higher savings would be expected using higher dosages or more expensive drugs. Feed savings based on the Nebraska study would be valued at $2,307 annually, assuming 214# (97.2 kg) of gain per animal at a cost of $0.07 per# of feed.

Waste Disposal Savings (USD)

If we further assume that water savings means less water waste in the pit, Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT Cups also lower annual waste disposal costs. Farmweld calculated the annual waste removal savings to be $593, assuming a 118,600 gallon (44924 dal) water savings at a disposal cost of $.005/gal. (3.78 l).

Annual Savings for 1,000-head Grow-finish Unit
Item	Annual $ Savings (USD)
Water ($3.50/1,000 gal.) or ($3.50/3.78 dal)	$414
Medication ($42/gal., dosage of 30g/128 gal. water) or ($42/3.78 l, dosage of 30g/484.3 l water)	$232
Feed cost (214# gain @ $0.07 per # feed) or (97.29 kg gain @ $0.07 per 2.28 kg feed)	$2,307
Waste Disposal ($.005/gal. disposal cost) or ($.005/3.78 l disposal cost)	$593
	Total $3,546