Ron ness, A Hinkley, IL, swine producer.

Farmweld's design promotes outstanding intake throughout the growing period and low feed waste.

Ron Ness eliminated breeding and gestation at his Hinckley, IL, farm in 1997 to concentrate on wean-to-finish production. He joined a sow cooperative and built a new wean-to-finish barn which he equipped with Farmweld Jumbo Feeders and Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT® Water Cups. In two existing finishers, Ness replaced wet feeders with Farmweld dry feeders to better accommodate pigs from weaning through market.

Ness says that roominess is one of the best features of the Farmweld Jumbo Feeder. He says the feed spaces, which measure 14 inches wide and a full 12 inches deep, provide enough headroom for a large pig to eat in a natural position. Ample headroom means better intake and less waste, according to Ness. He points to the widely recognized University of Illinois feeder design research as support. ‘That research said you want a feeder that allows pigs to stand without having to cock their heads sideways to eat," he explains.

Ten-Inch Feed Spaces Not Wide Enough

In an older barn where Ness had another brand of dry feeders, pigs became uncomfortably crowded as they neared marketweight, he says. In this particular design, feed spaces were only ten inches wide, "When they got near marketweight, only three pigs would be able to eat from a five-hole feeder because there just wasn't enough room, " observed Ness.

Farmweld’s design promotes outstanding intake throughout the growing period and low feed waste. "The trough is so big that the pigs just can’t hardly waste any feed," says Ness.

Small Pigs Get Started Easily

Early-weaned pigs at Ness’ operation get started easily on the large Farmweld Jumbo Feeders. When pigs enter the pens after weaning at 16 days, Ness sprinkles pellets into the feed trough to entice them up to the feeder. He also places pellets on feed mats. Within just a few days, the pigs get started eating on the feeder and Ness adjusts the agitator so that about 60 to 80 percent of the pan remains clear of feed. He monitors the pan to make sure the feeders are properly adjusted.

The Farmweld Jumbo Feeder has feed spaces measuring 14" wide by a full 12" deep, providing enough headroom for a large pig to eat in a natural position.

Once Ness converts the pigs to a grind-and-mix ration, he opens the feed agitator a bit to accommodate a ration that includes added fat and whey. He monitors the adjustment to achieve the 60 to 80 percent goal. Ness says he likes the amount of "play" in the Farniweld agitator gate. "You can set them fairly tight and there’s still enough play that the pigs can work the feed without wasting it," he says. He has also observed that the stainless steel crank adjustments do not rust or gum up over time.