HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-12-15, Page 10Page 10 — Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 15, 1993
Area farmer researches benefits of semis -confinement facility
by Pat Livingston
A West' Wawanosh Township
farmer is researching the effec-
tiveness and benefits of Econo-
Shelters, a semi -confinement
facility, as an economical and
productive means of finishing pigs.
Ben Hogervorst already knows
the cost of the system runs at one-
third that of a conventional style
barn. The lower capital investment
manifests itself into lower mortgage
payments. The concept of Econo-
Shelters also allows the farmer to
build at a slower pace (i.e. groups
of 100 pigs), thus avoiding one
large debt load.
Hogervorst's research facility and
)40 1
''ii9R�llf flil1ilIijjl, 'l1'
Ben Hogervorst of R.R. 1 Lucknow has erected 18 Econo-Shelter$, in a two -avenue style, on his
West Wawanosh Township farm. He is researching the effectiveness and benefits of the seml-
confinement system. (Pat Livingston photo)
Christmas - New Year's
Holiday Schedule
The Sentinel will be closed from
Friday December 24t" until 8:30 am January 3, 1994.
demonstration site, at R.R. 1, Luck -
now, consists of 18 Econo-Shelters
set up in two avenues, with a
central alley for accessing the shel-
ters. The site has a capacity for 960
market hogs.
Hogervorst had no prototype to
work from, so the building process
has been a learning experience.
This knowledge, along with the
results of investigating specific
areas of hog finishing in this type
of facility, will be a benefit to those
interested in erecting the lower cost
Econo-Shelters. Hogervorst is the
Eastern Canada distributor for the
shelters.
The Econo-Shelters have been
built both on two foot walls and on
skids. The skid -type allows for the
building to be pulled back and
cleaned out with a front-end loader.
This experiment will determine
which is best, both from production
and labor intensity standpoints.
A 24 inch piece of clear plastic
was installed at the front of the
raised shelters to allow the sun • to
shine in and keep the warmth in
and the wind out.
When questioned about sunburned
pigs, Ben said, "Pigs are like
people. Some know when to come
in and some learn a little slower."
He also said the inside of the shel-
ter will be cool in the summer heat
because of a window in the back
that will allow the breeze to flow
through.
During the winter, thepositive
side of a shelter employing an
indoor/outdoor concept is, that "the
pigs will basically eat' and sleep,
thus expending less energy horsing
around," said Ben.
' Feeders and waterers are split
between two shelters. Currently
Hogervorst is' monitoring the
production and growth rate effects
of different watering systems -
heated vs energy -free water bowls,
and nipple drinkers vs , bowl
drinkers.
All feed will be weighed for feed
Refrigerate
left -overs
•from page 7
❑ Keep hot foods hot (greater than
140 F) and cold foods cold (less
than 40 F). Never leave hot and
•cold foods at room temperature.
❑ Refrigerate leftovers immediately
in small packages. When preparing.
leftover meat, reheat all the way
through and always bring gravy to
a boil.
The Health Unit wishes you a
Merry and Safe Christmas season!
Making Health Happen is written
by staff from the' Bruce -Grey -Owen
Sound Health Unit. Do you have a
public health issue you would like
to find out more about? Write to
Making Health Happen, c/o Bruce -
Grey -Owen Sound Health Unit, 920
1st Ave West, Owen Sound, On-
_tario N4 K 4K5.
conversion and experiments will
take place on wet/dry feeders vs dry
feed feeders.
The watering system is set up on
different lines to each bowl or
nipple drinker. This allows for ease
in deworming or adding medication
to water for only. those pigs that
need it.
Large round bales are used for
bedding and are currently rolled in
through the front of the shelter. Ben
is presently designing a new back
for the Econo-Shelters so that bales
can be set in through the back. He
said the pigs break down the bales
in three to four days.
Another advantage to the system
is it provides a more specific
bedroom/bathroom concept.
Other areas being researched
include stocking densities and per-
formance, and developing specific
feeds to match the various seasons.
A central pig weighing station is
strategically located to allow
utilization of the feed weighing
station's electronic head for digital
read outs.
A large lagoon was built to hold
one year's liquid manure. Ben
observed that most of the liquid,
draining down the central alley, is
from rain, with some wastage from
the nipple drinkers as a contributor.
"The urine is basically either
evaporated or absorbed into the
straw," he said.
Hogervorst is very enthusiastic
about this type of set-up and
interest is high. He said animal
health has been excellenk and no
ammonia is evident inside the shel-
ter: Jenny, Hogervorst's wife, noted
that the stress level is lower and
said they have experienced no tail
or ear biting.
"We have been taught that we
-have to have expensive barns for
production," said Ben, "but with
this facility we aim to show hog'
producers what they can expect
from a low-cost, hlterndtive method•
of finishing hogs." ,
Time runs
out for
Novice "B"
The Lucknow Novice "B" team
sent Teeswater home with ,a ,4 - 2
victory on Dec. 11.
Teeswater took the lead in the
second period with two goals and
added strength to that lead with
another goal during the third period.
Lucknow came back with goals
from Jessie' Johnston and Blair
Morrison. Assists went to Luke Van
Osch, Graham Cook, Derek Quinlan
and Derek Hoggart.
Time ran out for Luckndw, as
Teeswater scored again to take the
.game at 4 - 2.
The next edition will be on
Wednesday, January 5th, 1994
The participation of Lucknow Village Market In the' Knechtel
Grocery Stores save -a -tape for cash program benefited two area
non-profit organizations. Kathy Knechtel is shown presenting
a cheque for $262.50 to Bill McKeon, accepting on behalf of
Lucknow Central Public School. The students collected $70,000
in tapes. The money will be used towards extras not allowed for
in the school budget, such as supplementing excursions. Pat
Porter receives a cheque for $585, representing $156,000 of
tapes, for the Parents Committee for Girl Guides. That commit-
tee will use the funds towards leader training, camping, badges
etc. (Pat Livingston photo)