When most pork producers consider changes in management, genetics or facilities, they too look for evidence that something has performed a certain way, more than once. This is true in major trends such as the use of artificial insemination or multi-site production, and more and more so in the finer details such as the type of feeder or drinker.

Progressive PORK recently visited three Minnesota operations whose owners are seeing a similar pattern of performance improvements and management difficulties as they compare two styles of nursery feeders. Each operation has multiple iso-wean nurseries — some equipped with Farmweld dry feeders and some with tube style feeder-waterers. After experience using both feeder styles, the producers all agree that Farmweld dry feeders perform better and are easier to adjust than the tube feeders.

Mike and Cyndy Baustian, Chris and Clare Veldhuizen, and Jim and Jo Ann Veldkamp are part of the Pipestone System, a network of producer shareholders who obtain iso-weaned pigs from a system sow barn, then follow similar production practices and compare their results. They each started with the Pipestone System about six years ago. In doing so, they established state-of-the-art, iso-wean nurseries in new or remodeled facilities. Those nurseries are equipped with plastic flooring, Farmweld dry nursery feeders and water cups. These original nurseries achieved excellent results, according to Pipestone System veterinary consultant Barry Kerkaert. Each operation uses the same genetic lines and nutrition program.

In 1998, all three operations coincidentally upped their nursery capacity again. Rather than going with the dry feeders, they each opted for tube style feeder-waterers in order to eliminate the need to handle feeders during clean-up.

The Baustians, who live in Jasper, MN, converted a farrowing barn into 1,200 nursery spaces in two rooms. "We liked the idea of washing the feeders in place," says Mike. Pipestone System participants are free to use whatever type of equipment they wish.

Now two years later, Mike says he and Cyndy wish they had dry feeders in all their nurseries. "Now we see we get paid pretty well to tip and wash the dry feeders," Mike says. Feed conversions at the Baustian operation are routinely .05-.10 better in the older nursery equipped with the dry feeders versus the nursery with tube feeders. Feed intake and daily gains are also better, according to Mike.

The Veldhuizens' operation is in Edgerton, MY Chris Veldhuizen agrees improved performance far outweighs the convenience of washing tube feeders in place. In a 1,200-head nursery equipped with Farmweld dry feeders, feed conversions are consistently.20 better than in the Veldhuizens' same size nursery equipped with tube feeders. Chris calculates the improvement results in a $.63 per pig savings for feed costs or about $756 for the 1,200 head. He says the savings are well worth the extra time it takes to clean the dry feeders. "Those figures are when corn is cheap and the savings just go up when corn is higher," says Chris.

The Veldkamps, also of Jasper, say they've experienced better feed conversions with the dry feeders at their operation too. They see about a.10 difference. Plus, they've noticed a similar improvement in daily gains. The Veldkamps' original iso-wean nursery had 600 pig spaces with Farmweld dry feeders. In 1998, they remodeled a grower-finisher building and added 650 pig spaces with tube feeders.

Jo Ann Veldkamp says it is difficult to properly adjust tube feeders when pigs are small. "When the pigs axe just starting to work the tube feeder, they slop water into the feed trough," she says. As a result, Jo Ann says that the feed gets wet and cakes up, which prohibits it from flowing smoothly into the trough.

To compensate, the Veldkamps say that they must loosen the tube feeders' adjustment mechanisms in order to raise the tubes. They say that results in wasted feed. Jim says he is concerned that waste doesn't only happen in the early nursery phase. He says that throughout the feeding phases they often "see the feed sticking to the flooring, whereas we don't see that with the dry feeders."

The Farmweld dry nursery feeders are easy to adjust properly because of their design and the way they are constructed, according to Baustian. When you look at the bolting and the threads (of the adjustment rods), you see that every one of them is manufactured consistently," he says. 'That means you can adjust them consistently."

Veterinary consultant Kerkaert maintains that having a feeder that you can manage and one that provides fresh feed 24 hours a day is critical. "It is very important to keep the feed fresh for new piglets just starting out," he says. "They will become apathetic about eating if feed isn't fresh."

The Farmweld dry nursery feeder allows pigs to control for themselves the delivery of fresh feed. "When you can do that, you improve feed efficiency, " Chris Veldhuizen says.

This scenario from the Pipestone System illustrates the important point that it is often best to go with what's tried and true versus something unknown. Me lesson that I learned is when it comes to making a decision on a piece of equipment that handles as much cash value as a feeder, we don't wish to be the testing ground," concludes Kerkaert.