Vic Little recently installed the Farmweld Flooring System in his 3,400-head nursery near Rosston, OK. Little says the purchasing experience with Farmweld was an extremely good one.

			Vic Little

"If you were drawing up a best case scenario, it could not have gone any better," says Little, who contracts with Murphy Farms, LLC, Laverne, OK. "The materials were here when Farmweld said they’d be and things went together like they were supposed to. Everything was very efficient and coordinated."

Since loading the barn with pigs last fall, Little says he’s been impressed with the flooring’s color, comfort and ease of cleaning.

Color

"Pigs are easy to observe on the orange flooring," says Little, who says that dark flooring can make it difficult to spot sick or problem pigs.

Comfort

The flooring is also very comfortable for him and for the pigs, according to Little. "I’ve got a bad back and being on my feet for a long time on a hard surface is uncomfortable. This floor has a cushion to it, which makes it very comfortable for me. If it is easier on me, then it is easier on the animals. I have no doubt about it," states Little.

The flooring also complements the building’s heating system. Six radiant heaters are installed lengthwise in the 40’ x 260’ (12.2M x 79.3M) building. Little says the Farmweld Flooring System’s ability to absorb and hold heat is evident in how the pigs use the pen. He explains that pigs naturally rest in the zone under the heaters. "If the flooring was wire or concrete, it would not absorb and hold the heat like the plastic does," says Little.

Cleaning

Probably what has impressed Little the most is how easy the Farmweld Flooring System is to clean. After unloading the barn, Little operates pre-soaking misters. "We run them for three to four hours and a lot of the manure is washed off with just that," says Little. "So it doesn’t take much time for a person on the end of a power washer. The less time standing at the end of a wand, the better everyone is going to like it."

Little also anticipates little or no maintenance or replacement costs with the Farmweld Flooring System. He opted for Farmweld’s new white Fiberbeam for added durability. "By going with this flooring and support system, it should last as long as the building and this should be a one-time-only cost," concludes Little.

You can reach Vic Little by e-mail at: Quailrunfarms@hotmail.com

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