Baby Pigs and Their Moms April 13, 2012
Posted by jprettyman99 in Pigs & Pork.Tags: agriculture, baby animals, bacon, family, farmer, farmer pork pigs sow bacon meat farming soybeans livestock protien farms family, farms, food, meat, pigs, pork, protein
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Today we are visiting the farrowing house. This is a farming term for the barn where baby pigs are born and taken care of by their moms and farmers. Similar to the maternity suite at the hospital.
Baby pigs are approximately three pounds at birth. A sow (mother pig) typically births 12-14 babies in a litter. The babies will be up and moving almost immediately. Their first instinct is to find their mother’s milk. Her first milk is called colostrum; it contains maternal antibodies and is especially high in nutrients. Colostrum is important to helping the baby pigs start out healthy.
The babies and their mom’s will stay in this barn for approximately 21 days. They will grow to 12-15 pounds in that short time. All the features of the barn are set up to keep them warm, provide a constant feed and water source, and a clean environment.
First Look at the Pigs April 2, 2012
Posted by jprettyman99 in Pigs & Pork.Tags: bacon, family, farmer, farming, farms, food, livestock, local, meat, pigs, pork, protein, sow, soybeans
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We’ve showered in. Now we’re in the barn. Check out the pigs.
The barn temperture is adjusted to meet the needs of the pigs, always keeping them in their comfort zone. The barn is well insulated with a state-of-the-art ventilation system to constantly circulate fresh air to for the pigs. Just like your house, Scott ensures the barn is clean and well maintained.
The pigs in this barn are approximately three weeks old. They weigh about twelve to fifteen pounds. The pigs have a constant source of food and water at all times. It is important to keep the water fresh and cool for drinking. The food is a well-balanced complete ration containing the correct protein, energy, vitamins and minerals that the pigs need. Pigs generally do not eat grass or hay like a cow.
No Germs Allowed March 26, 2012
Posted by jprettyman99 in Pigs & Pork.Tags: bacon, family, farmer, farming, farms, food, livestock, local, meat, pigs, pork, protien, sow, soybeans
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Gone are the days when you walk right into the barn. Today, farmers have many systems in place to ensure that germs are not carried into the barns. What carries them in? Most often someone’s exposed skin, shoes and clothes.
Anytime Scott (our pig farmer) or anyone he has invited to the barn, approaches the door they are greeted with a sign explaining the area is bio-secure. This means the farm takes steps to eliminate outside germs from entering the pig barn. This ensures the pigs stay healthy and safe!
Inside the front door, we don’t see pigs but a shower. Yes, the only way in is through the shower. For Scott, the health of his pigs is serious business. Don’t expect to get in without washing your hair and body, leaving your street clothes on the outside, and dressing in clean clothes on the other side of the shower.
By the way, most do the same thing on the way out. As a pig farmer says, “Shower in, shower out!” This helps keep other farmers’ pigs safe and helps keep Tracie happy when he arrives home to see the family. Wonder how many showers a day Scott usually takes?
Beans to Bacon November 9, 2011
Posted by scottisler in Corn & Soybeans, Meet a Farmer, Pigs & Pork.Tags: farmer pork pigs sow bacon meat farming soybeans livestock protien farms family
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Thank you for following our soybean project over the growing season. We are currently planning the second phase where we will be following a pig farm. Through this blog we will be following a pig from birth to market. Please tune in to see more.
You might remember Scott in a previous Meet a Farmer video
Harvest! It’s time to harvest the soybeans. October 19, 2011
Posted by jprettyman99 in Corn & Soybeans.Tags: agriculture, combine, crops, fall, farming, food, harvest, John Deere, semi, soybeans, truck
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After eight months, the soybeans are ready for harvest. Remember back that we made a pre-planting strategy, planted the seeds, watched for pests and weeds, waited for the soybeans to mature, and now we are in the field for harvest. Check out the combine cutting the soybeans and loading the truck for transport.
So Close to Harvest October 9, 2011
Posted by jprettyman99 in Project Updates.Tags: agriculture, crops, farming, field, food, harvest, soybean
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The soybeans are ready for harvest. The leaves have dried up and dropped off. The stems are dry and the pods are crisp. The beans themselves have changed from green to a golden yellow. The video will show a good look at our field before it is harvested.
Soybeans are Progressing September 23, 2011
Posted by jprettyman99 in Project Updates.Tags: agriculture, fall, food, harvest, snow field dirt corn soybeans crops farming, soybeans
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A close look at the soybean pods show fast changes from green then to yellow and finally to brown. We also show the beans are progressing from plump green beans to hard, dry yellow beans.
Soybeans – Starting to Turn September 20, 2011
Posted by jprettyman99 in Project Updates.Tags: agriculture, fall, farming, food, harvest, soybeans
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As the days short, the soybeans in our Follow Farming field are quickly maturing. Check out the changes in color (from deep, dark green to an autumn yellow).
Beans Tightly Packed in Pod September 8, 2011
Posted by jprettyman99 in Project Updates.Tags: agriculture, drying, farmer, field, food, green, grown, harvest, pods, soybeans, three
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Looking across our Soybean Field
An early morning check of the field today shows the soybean plants are still green. In our area, we are just starting to see a few fields that are “turning”. When farmers say “the field is turning”, they are referring to the plants starting to dry down and the plant will start to look yellow and brown. As you can see, our whole field is still green.
3 beans tightly packed in pod
The BIGGEST change since our last update is how much the soybeans have grown. We don’t mean the plants themselves (they are still approximately 3-feet high). Rather the soybeans INSIDE the pods are much bigger. The soybeans are as green as grass right now. When we harvest them, they will be golden yellow/brown. Take a look at the picture which shows how tight the three soybeans are lined up inside the pod.
Our area has continued to have regular rain falls. All the crops (mostly soybeans and corn) in our local area look good. Harvest is about a month away!
Plants are loaded with pods
Follow Farming 