In Search of Quality

Mowak farrowing unit employees Matt Watts
(left) and Jason Hardman.

Francis Forst had one primary objective when he selected equipment for a new 2,400-head sow unit: Quality.

Forst is the general manager of Mowak, a contract farrow-to-wean producer in southwestern Missouri. Mowak raises pigs for Synergy, LLC, a pork production company operating in central and eastern Iowa.

“No cheap stuff!” is what Forst said when he put out the call for equipment bids. “I wanted quality in the equipment, something that would last,” he says. “And I wanted equipment that’s very user- friendly as well.”

After reviewing proposals, Forst selected Farmweld’s Eurostyle Farrowing Crates with German-cast modular center platforms for the farrowing rooms. The crates are designed with heavy-duty solid rods.

“I could see in the way the equipment was designed and built, that it would be durable,” says Forst, who worked with Farmweld’s Kevin Schnarre and Midwest Livestock System’s Rick Thomas to complete the project.

Francis Forst manages Missouri operations for Synergy, LLC. He also serves as general manager of Mowak, a contract farrow-to-wean producer.

Mowak’s farrowing room crew enjoys working with the Farmweld equipment because of the convenient features such as the Swinging Rump Guards. The guards keep sows in place while doing chores such as scraping the stall or assisting during farrowing. Other user-friendly features like the quick release gates and non-removable pins save hassle and streamline worker movements.

“Employee morale is very important,” says Forst. Farmweld Gestation Stalls are installed in Mowak’s gestation barn. Forst says the stalls are also easy for employees to work around with low sides and step-through back gates in the breeding area. “There are no sharp edges either so if someone should happen to fall, they aren’t as likely to get hurt,” Forst says. Efficient equipment that is user-friendly means employees can spend more energy focused on the animals. And no doubt that ultimately contributes to better sow and pig performance.