Dr. Micheal Brumm

Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Water Cups Outperform Swinging Nipple Waterers

Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Water Cups save water, reduce medication cost and contribute to better feed conversions versus swinging nipple waterers, according to a new study released by the University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center.

According to Nebraska researcher Dr. Michael C. Brumm, studies such as this one help pork producers match equipment selection with operational goals. The study allows us to "tie drinker selection more specifically with facility objectives such as reduced water usage," says.

The study compared the performance of 240 crossbred, singlesource feeder pigs fed to approximately 250 pounds. Half of the pigs were treated using the Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT® Finishing Water Cup. The other half used the Ritchie WaterSwing®. All other conditions including vaccination, nutrition and environment were constant. Farmweld Jumbo Feeders were used for both groups.

Pigs were allocated by arrival weight and sex to 12 mixed-sex pens in two identical, mechanically-ventilated buildings. Pens were 12' x 15' with 50 percent of the pen area slatted. There were three pens per drinker type in each facility.

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

Results

Less Water Use

Pigs using the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups used less water throughout the study than pigs on the swinging nipple waterers. Water use for the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups was a dramatic 25 percent less than the swinging nipple waterers. Incidentally, in a previous Nebraska winter study, the Ritchie WaterSwing was shown to reduce water use by 11 percent compared to conventional mounted nipple waterers.

Lower Medication Cost

In addition to water savings, the trial pointed out that Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups reduce medication use and associated 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. Medication cost was cut by one-half in the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cup group. (See chart.)

Equal Average Daily Gain

There was no effect of drinker type on overall daily gain for die swinging nipple waterers versus the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups.

Improved Feed Conversion

Total gains for each group of pigs was similar. However, pigs using the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT Water Cups consumed less feed than pigs on the swinging nipple waterers. This reduction in feed use resulted in an improved feed conversion efficiency of 2.493 vs. 2.548 (lb. feed/lb gain). Diets included 5 percent added fat. (See chart.)

Pig Performance
Item	Drinker Type
	DRIK-O-MAT®	WaterSwing®
No. Pens	6	6
Pig weight, lb.
Intial	38.3	38.5
Final	251.2	253.8
Avg. Daily Gain Overall	1.807*	1.833* No significance statistically
Avg. Daily Feed Overall	4.505	4.670 p value = .006
Feed: Gain Overall	2.493	2.548 p value = .095

Water and Medication Use
Item	Drinker Type
	DRIK-O-MAT®	WaterSwing®
Water Disappearance (Gal/Pig/Day)	1.00	1.325 p value = .060
Medicated Water (Gal/Pig/Day)*	.988	1.958
Drug Cost, $/pig	$.082	$.162
* An Albion 12.5% solution @ $42.25/gallon mixed to deliver 30 gm sulfadimethoxine per 128 gallons water According to Dr. Mike Brumm, P values > . 10 are not significant for this type of trial

Source: Univ. of Nebraska, 1997

If you would like a copy of Dr Brumm's complete report, call Farmweld at 1-800-EAT-PORK (328-7675).