July 2025 - Journal FINAL - Flipbook - Page 7
Management
Safety doesn’t have to be a big meeting or a binder
full of rules. On many farms, it’s as simple as checking
in at the start of the day and asking, “Anything we
should watch out for today?” That little reminder helps
everyone stay alert.
Animal Welfare: Healthy Pigs, Better Productivity
One of our core values is caring—and that commitment
extends beyond protecting people to ensuring the
animals under our care also receive the best possible
welfare.
If you take good care of your pigs, they’ll take care
of you. Pigs that are comfortable, clean, and fed well
grow faster, stay healthier, and make better use of every
dollar you put into them.
At Pipestone, we train every caretaker to meet our
animal welfare standards. But even on a small farm, you
can build routines that ensure pigs get what they need:
• Know your pigs – Spend time checking on them
every day. Watch for anything unusual—signs they
might be sick, stressed, or uncomfortable. Catching
problems early can save a lot of trouble later.
• Keep their space just right – Good air昀氀ow and the
right temperature make a huge difference. Pigs that
are too hot, too cold, or crowded won’t do well.
• Handle them gently – Calm, consistent care helps
keep pigs relaxed. They remember how you treat
them, and calmer pigs are healthier pigs.
• Talk it out together – Even if it’s just you and one
other person, make time to discuss what you’re
seeing and decide what needs to be done. Team
communication helps catch issues early.
• Train everyone involved – Make sure everyone who
helps with the pigs knows the basics—how to spot
a sick pig and the best ways to move and care for
them.
• Keep learning – Things change and improve over
time. Stay open to new ideas or better ways to
care for your pigs, whether it’s feeding, housing, or
something else.
Standards don’t have to be complicated—but they do
have to be consistent. Biosecurity, safety, and welfare
are three areas where even small improvements can
pay off big. Set the bar, talk about it, hold each other to
it, and you’ll build a stronger, more resilient farm—one
day at a time.
SUMMER 2025 | 7
