A new pig farm is cheapest to get right before the concrete is poured. Mistakes in the layout, pig flow, ventilation or biosecurity are built in for the life of the farm, and they show up every week in mortality, growth and cost. I review new-farm plans and designs with the eye of someone who has had to run farms like them, and then support the project through to the first pigs.
What I look at
- Site and biosecurity. Distance from other pigs, roads and slaughter points; one controlled entry; clean and dirty zones; where feed lorries, pig lorries and dead-stock collection go.
- Capacity that matches the herd. Enough farrowing places, nursery and finishing space for the sows you plan to keep, so pigs are not moved too early or stocked too tight.
- Pig flow. All-in/all-out by room or building, with time to wash, disinfect and dry between batches.
- Ventilation, cooling and heating. Sized for the hottest and coldest weeks, not the average.
- Feed, water and waste systems. Silos, lines, drinkers, slurry and effluent handling sized for the planned herd.
- Equipment. Chosen for this farm’s needs, always in the client’s best interest.
From plans to first pigs
- Design review. A written review of the plans with recommended changes, before construction.
- Biosecurity plan. Written procedures for people, vehicles, feed and incoming stock.
- Staffing structure. How many people, in which roles, and what they need to know on day one.
- Herd start-up. Bringing in the first gilts, acclimatisation and the first services, which set the farm’s output for years.
If you are building in Vietnam, plan for VietGAHP from the start; it is far easier than fitting it in later. Permits and legal approvals are not covered and need a local adviser.
Why me
I have spent more than 20 years running commercial pig farms in the UK, USA, Ireland and Russia, from a 1,200 to 1,500 sow farrow-to-finish business to a 6,000-sow multi-site operation, including active sites in ASF-affected regions. For an example of what an outside view finds on a new farm, read the case study of a new farm running at 75% of capacity.
Talk to Lee
Send me the plans or tell me where the project is. I will arrange a first call and propose a scope of work before anything is agreed.
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