http://www.eliteswine.com/ News and information from from Elite Swine Inc. en-us http://www.eliteswineinc.com/rss/rss.xml We hope everyone will find this blog helpful and interesting. In the weeks to come there will be guest bloggers. Tonight , I am looking for suggestions on who to have on here--breeders, boar studs, fitting experts, selectiohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=15 I have spoken with Galen McCune,as he will be judging the NSR Breeds at the WPX about an question and answer session with him about his preferences in the ring. That will be coming up in the near future. What state faris are you intersted ihttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=16 Trip,I think that is a great idea. I am working on putting that info together right now. I don#39;t have much trouble with OK as I have a lot of connections there--TX will take me some time. Do you think it is impotant to know the Dahttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=17 Hi! First of all, I would like to thank Bruce Butler for the opportunity to be a Guest Blogger on the new website!My name is Darin Kuhlow. I own a company called Limit Up, Inc. I have over 20 years of prohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=18 Hello again! Welcome once again to the Elite Swine website! I#39;ll be logged in tonight to answer anyone#39;s questions about production, health, the industry in general, or just to chat! Feel free to post anything you#39;d like to discuss, anhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=19 Hi Kelly. Ok, weaning age.........In commercial herds we generally wean either weekly or twice weekly, typically Thur. or Mon. and Thur. if it#39;s twice per week. We use a minimum weaning age of 17 days. Keeping the weaning age around 3 weeks inhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=20 Wondering - Good question also!Typically, the first item of business in commercial farms is gestation feeding, followed by a quick check of the farrowing rooms to assist anyone who may be farrowing. Then the farrowing rooms are fed anhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=21 Josh - Health is a big problem in the showpig world. Quite honestly, people don#39;t take it seriously enough. If you intend to take your hogs to shows and bring them home, or if you purchase animals from shows, you most likely will have Phttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=22 Derek - Thanks for the compliments! Now I#39;ll have to go look at my site and see what#39;s there hahaha!! I#39;ve got a partner updating things, so I never quite know what it looks like each day.BTW, you#39;ve got a care packaghttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=23 NEED HELP - I am very reluctant to give much veterinary advice, because I am not a licensed veterinarian. I always try to advise those seeking help with herd health problems to work closely with a veterinarian. I realize that can be costly,http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=24 Jim - Feed prices, good topic!Yes, I don#39;t know all the market factors involved, but milk-based products have gone up in price and that will have a large impact on starter feed costs. Not only that, but corn and soymeal prices arhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=25 Dan - Lute is a reference to brand name Lutalyse. The same drug is also marketed by other companies with names like InSync. This is a prostaglandin designed for use on pregnant females to induce labor. It works by removing the CL (Corpus Luhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=26 Hi Scott - Sorry I can#39;t help you much with specific disease issues. But I will say that the biggest problem with health in the showpig world is the inability to enforce biosecurity. Just as you mentioned, kids want to walk all over youhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=27 Randy - Lots of speculation about corn prices, but whether they talk about $3 or $5, it#39;s generally agreed that we need to get used to higher feed prices. From what I see, expansion plans are slowing or being halted, but I don#39;t seehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=28 I am logging out for tonight and going to help my rock-star daughter work out the chords for her new song. Thanks to everyone for stopping in and thanks to Bruce for letting me be a first-time blogger! I had fun.Darhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=29 The show pig buying season is going ahead full steam. I just wanted inform everyone that Kvin Burgoon, alias kgb. will be our next guest blogger. Kevin is the nutritionist for Honor/Purian Chow and has knowledge of swine nutrition and especahttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=30 Becky,kgb will not be on for awhile. Sorry if I was not clear in my details about when he will be on. If you would e-mail me, I will forward your question to Kevin and I am sure he will respond and I can give you my thoughts also. Thansk fohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=31 I am getting a lot of questions for Kevin here tonight and he is not here.I apologize for not making myself clear as to the date and time he will be on. I hope that it is next week, but still waiting on him to get me his schedule. He is CO http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=32 I think Kevin will do a good job. I know his children have shown here in MO and hae done very well. I know he knows what a good one should look like. The had a Spot barrow here several years ago that was a legit great one and in my opinion should http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=33 I can see how someone would think that all showpig feeds might be the same and especially feeds containing the same amount of protein. However, that is not correct. Each company has a nutritionist (hopefully) formulating their showpig http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=34 Sorry, dial up connection. i#39;m back...I think.http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=35 Sorry, my computer is doing funny things. In attempting to respond, I can#39;t see your questions any longer, but I will answer from memory. If I don#39;t answer the question you posted, please post again.Feeding a pig that ishttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=39 John:Sorry, since I cannot see the questions when answering it is difficult to answer fully. You asked about corn prices. I am not sure about other companies. In commercial diets, yes Land O#39;Lakes Purina Feed is http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=41 I can respond, but still can#39;t see the questions. I must not be holding my mouth correctly.http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=43 There are many companies with grind and mix options. Land O#39;Lakes Purina Feed has a new product called Shopwig Base. This product is very flexible and therefore economical. It does not contain minerals or vitamins, so it doeshttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=45 Kevin:It is very good to hear from you. How are things in Louisiana? Most quality showpig feeds do not need any further supplementation. I can speak for HONOR and Show Chow and say they contain all the mihttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=46 In 50 lbs pigs, I look for soundness first. Then and maybe not in any particular order: base width, bone, muscle, tall fronted, and rib shape. To get to the top you must have all of those things. However, you can develop muscle and http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=47 Good showpig feeds are fortified above the pig#39;s requirements for all vitamins and trace minerals. However, B12 just like all B vitamins is water soluble. Meaning that the pig#39;s system can#39;t really store much of these vitamhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=48 Actually there are several dewormers out there; Atgard, Ivomec, and Safeguard are a few. I really like Atgard and Safeguard. Especially, Safeguard because it is just that...very safe. And it is effective. Both Atgard and Safeghttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=49 I know it is the season of buying pigs. Has everyone got them all home? Are you satisified with your purchase? If you have any questions we can help with please ask away. Usually if we don#39;t have the answer, we know someone who can help http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=52 YorkDuroc,I would have to say the Alias sons or Alias probably have sired the most winners--I don#39;t have a number but hear alot about them as I am traveling. Most quesstion the frame size of these Alias hogs although in todays shohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=53 Becky,As long as the pigs look and feel good I usually don#39;t get to concerend about loose stools. At this point the pigs consumption of feed is really good and they simply over eat, just as we do sometimes http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=54 Looking,In TX you don#39;t have to have reg. papers--right? So they just have to be York appearing? I have my siggestions but your state and the one to the North (OK) are blessed with a lot of good pigs. I have fed many pigs from Galhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=55 Becky,I would have to say that since the mother and daughters did the same thing--it does not bode well for the granddaughters. Is it genetics? Probably and it cost so much money to breed, feed and care for them up until farrowing--I probabhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=56 We have every intention of having the feed in TX this fall. We are workking on distribution every day and the key is to make it easy to get and still affordable. We are just finishing up details in CO and hope to have the feed out there in http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=57 Well, it is time for me to hit the sack. I have to deliver feed Friday and I am looking forward to some dry, warmer weather. That is supposed to happen Friday. I will be checking back here from time to time so if you have nay questions go ahead anhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=58 We started weighing our State Fair Barrows today. I like to start as close to the first Of May as possible and this will tell us what we have to get done.We weighed form 134 pounds to 78 pounds. The 134 is a little big for our first week ofhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=59 Many of you have asked and YES we will be there and have all of our show products with us, if there is any thing you would like to try. Main Event Show mixer, Better Than Gold, Body Builder,etc. Just let me know by responding to this blog or e-mail .http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=60 I sent you an e-mail. Thanks Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=61 It has been a busy summer to this point. We have moved feed into NE,Co, TX, KS, OK,MO,SD,MN,WI, ILand IA and probably some I am not aware of. We want to thank each of yu for your business. So far the results of the feed have been good. and yhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=62 County Fairs are upon us. Many have already started and the next 2 weeks are packed full of them. Hopefully you have had a good growing season and youa re putting on the final touches, getting ready for the big show.If you have any qhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=63 John,Normally i look for an empty weight to be 5-8 pounds less tha when they are full. So I think safely you can say 5 pounds. however, I would still give them a drink, as I think it is cruel not to. Good Luckhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=64 Kyle,Yes, you can see a big change with paylean in that amount of time. Remember, 9grams/ton is the most you can legally use. But that is enogh time to see a good response. Good Luckhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=65 http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=66 Sammi jo,First, I would say soundess. I think it is the most important thing there is. How wide and all thatis imortant but if they can#39;t walk--not much use to mr. I start with sound ones and then go from there. How big? Doehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=67 Bill,I have no problem with them --if used correctly they can be very beneficial. However, over use is a common problem and you see these pigs at the show who are really nasty behind??Too much.I like them to just supplement a lhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=68 http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=69 Katie,I would suggest a 17.5% Protien and 7% fat diet. This should be adequate to amke the pig softer. You can feed more fat but be careful that you don#39;t affect consumption. It is very important to make sure they are eatinghttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=70 I know commercially we feed about 200 pounds per ton and that is it. I would need to check with a nutrionist as far as feeding anymore.I think one of the problems is getting a consistent product--hard to formulate around for hogs. Lehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=71 I am loggin out now. Early morning off to the great state of Iowa!!!Thanks for all the questions and keep on blogging. I#39;ll be back Wed evening!!!Have a good night.Thanks Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=72 Most of the County fairs in the Midwest are winding down and everyone is gearing up for the venture to their State Fair. Share your experience at your County fair and tell us what you hope to happen at the State Fair shows.http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=73 You are more than welcome. Hopefully we all learn something every year.I have been doing this now for almost 40 years (feeding show pigs) and every day there is something new and exciting!!!The families I work with here in MO arhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=74 We are going to attempt to get this blog up and running.Starting with the Tulsa State Fair next week, we will have the results posted here in the blog section as soon as we can get to a computer. Hopefully we will be able to list the Chmpiohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=75 Champion Berk--Colt Connor--TuttleRes Berk--Ms.Vizza--TuttleChamp Chester--Gatlin Squires--Noble 4-HResMs.Bland--AlexFFAChamp Poland--Katie McCauley--SterlingLuke Herren--YukonChamp Spot--Caddo Co--Dhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=76 It is now Tuesday evening and I am sure everyone is headed to KC with the Grand Champion Hog on their trailer. Good luck to everyone at the show and have a safe trip. I will be in KC on Thursday and will be reporting back to this blog with http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=77 Grand--Brooks--Champion Cross--Guthrie,OKRes Grand--Davis--Res Champion Cross--ARChampion Duroc--Slater--OKChampion York--Chrisman--TXChampion Chester--Danner--INChampion Spot--??Good show--numbers whttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=78 Over the past several weeks I have been on the road. I just wanted to tell you what I have seen around the country.Great Plains Genetics; Looked at all the boars at Galen#39;s and one thing is certain:New Beginnings is a tremendous boar--nhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=79 It is that time of the year again. I always look forward to Duncan--there are many exciting things that go on. Here is your chance to tell us waht you are bringing and what you hope to accomplish., or maybe you are looking to buy the next Chttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=81 We will be reporting the results of the Weanling Pig Sift and the Breeding stock show as they happen at the fall Classic. Stay tuned to this web site for all the info.Thanks,Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=83 Hello from Duncan. This is my second time as a guest blogger on Bruce#39;s site. I am thankful again for the opportunity. I#39;ll be on for a couple of hours tonight while the female sale finishes up. Feel free to ask whatever questions you likehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=84 Bob,I sent one Yorkshire gilt down from Limit Up, Inc. (my farm). She came down on the trailer with pigs from Bower#39;s Swine (Kenny and Joe) who are partner#39;s and friends of mine. Unfortunately, my york was sifted as were the hhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=85 It#39;s been a fun week here so far. Surprisingly, I haven#39;t met too many people I know only from the forums, but few people who never post but only read the forums have spoken to me. It#39;s a good feeling to know that the conversatiohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=86 Female sale just hit a wall. Some gilts aren#39;t selling at all now and several nice gilts are going for less than $150. That#39;s gonna make some of the folks in the barn with sifted gilts asking $500 or more drop their prices in a hurry.........http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=87 Funny thing about this sale. There are folks in the barn with sifted gilts asking pretty good money. Meanwhile there are gilts entering the ring that either don#39;t sell or bring $100 - $200. Then all of a sudden a gilt will come in that still chttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=88 Steve,I have called the NSR and ask for a complete listing of placings and sales. I have not got that info yet. As soon as I do, I will post it.Thanks,Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=89 I hope all the young people out thtere will send us a letter telling us WHY I LOVE SHOWING PIGS!!! This will give everyone a chance to win some great prizes and will be truly even playing field. hope to hear from you.Thanks,Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=90 Andy,The contest is open to anyone. We are hoping to encourage all ages to join in. This is a chance to tellus what you think and why you love doing what you do. In this contes the best pig won#39;tr win. Every young person has a chahttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=91 What are your plans for next year??Those of you who show in the summer--buy in the spring--with the cost of fuel and feed--will you be buying fewer pigs? Going to fewer sales?Fewer farm visits? Or will it be business as usual. Let us know yohttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=92 We want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. Many of you will be traveling and we wish you safe trevels wherever that takes you. We personally want to thank each and everyone of you that have put your faith in our nutrition program the http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=93 You still have time to get your essay in. It has gone really well and wehave several in. So keep them coming!!!Thanks--Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=94 Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. The letters werre great and every one of them deserved to be a winner. BUT just like a hog show--wehad to name a winner and it was a tough decision.We had judges that knew none of the http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=95 On Tuesday Jan 22, I had the opporunity to look at Carl#39;s SWTC entries and view all the pigs in the Grower. Carl ha san excellent set of hogs going to Belton--Look for the 18,21,27 and 31 litters to name a few. All are sound, big bodoedhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=96 I will be in Belton, TX for the NSR SWTC Thursday -Saturday. Watch this BLOG SECTION for updats daily from Belton. Hope everyone has a sasfe trip and we will see you in Texas.Thanks Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=97 We made it to Belton!!! 12 hour drive from MO to here. Looked like there was going to be a good turnouy as alot of hogs were in the pens by 6pm. I did not get to look at any hogs tonight--but will Thursday. Stay Tuned.Thahttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=98 We would like to congratulateall the Exhibitors at the 2008 OYE Purebred and Commercial Gilt shows. We at ESP are extremely proud to have a parrt of many success stories--such as providing the nutrition program for bothe Chhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=99 I am sure everyone has a majority of theur pigs on feed by niw. Tell us what yiu got on feed--BUYERS REMORSE or THE BEST PIGS I HAVV EVER FED?Let#39;s talk!!!!http://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=100 As the Jackpot season is in full swing--please give us an update of how they are going, numbers, winners,etc. Anu info would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Brucehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=101 The past 2 weeks have allowed me to get out in the country and vist several customers and see alot of hogs--here are my notes:Carl Stein--Carl has anexcellent set of Red hogs for WPX and STC. I alos had a chance to see the Foundation Femalehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=102 It is very evidnet that we are in unchartered waters when it comes to the prices of feed and fuel?What is gas and diesel prices where you live? Waht are you paying for your feed either in the store or to make it at home using base mixes,etchttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=103 It is that time of the year--hot and humid and that must mean COUNTY FAIR TIME!!! Hopefully your project has gone well this summer and your hard work will be payed back with good results in the ring. I have had the opportunity to judge sevehttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=104 It was a very good set of hogs at Riley CO. The show was well ran --lot of ring help--Doc Hines calling classes and giving results and good people in the back helping the young people to the ring.Used a 280 pound barrow for Gran.d the younghttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=105 What are your fall pigs looking like? The summer has just flown by and now fall is upon us. We had such a nice summer--cool and above normal rain. I can#39;t say that I am ready for winter though!!Are you??Tell us about you litters that arhttp://www.eliteswineinc.com/blog.php?author=1&ind=106