INDEX FARM

Farming isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it 💚🙌

INDEX FARM

INDEX FARM we visited a farm today, just to have a view on their animals and some instant advice were given to them on our visit...

Stop Doing This If You Want Your Pigs to Grow Fast

Many farmers complain that their pigs are not growing fast.

But the truth is, sometimes the problem is not the pigs.

It’s the daily decisions on the farm.

Here are some things you must stop doing if you want faster growth and better profit:

🟢 Stop Using One Feed Formula for All Stages

A pig that has just been weaned does not need the same feed as a pig close to market weight.

Each stage has different nutrient needs.

Using the wrong formula slows growth and wastes money.

🟢 Stop Underfeeding to Save Money

Some farmers reduce feed because feed is expensive.

But underfeeding makes pigs grow slower and stay longer on the farm.

The longer they stay, the more money you spend.

🟢 Stop Ignoring Worm Treatment

Worms don’t always cause instant death.

But they quietly drain nutrients meant for growth.

A pig with worms will eat well but still remain small.

🟢 Stop Keeping Pigs in Dirty or Stressful Pens

Wet floors, overcrowding, and poor ventilation cause stress.

Stressed pigs eat less and grow slower.

Comfortable pigs grow faster.

🟢 Stop Keeping Slow-Growing Pigs for Too Long

Not every pig will perform the same.

Keeping poor performers for too long increases feeding cost without good returns.

📌 Fast growth is not an accident.
It is the result of good feeding, good health management, and good decisions.

Sometimes, what you stop doing is what makes the biggest difference.

🔴 What is the biggest challenge affecting growth on your farm right now? Feed cost, slow growth, or health problems?

INDEX FARM

TN70 Pigs: What Makes Them a Top Choice for Profit

TN70 pigs have become one of the most popular choices for pig farmers, and for good reason. But what exactly makes them so profitable? Let’s break it down.

1. Fast Growth
TN70 pigs are known for growing quickly. With good feed, proper housing, and consistent care, they can reach market weight faster than many other breeds. This means shorter cycles, faster turnover, and quicker returns on your investment.

2. High Reproductive Performance
These pigs are prolific. TN70 sows can produce large litters, and piglets are usually strong and healthy. More piglets surviving means more pigs to sell, which directly boosts your income.

3. Efficient Feed Conversion
TN70 pigs convert feed into body weight efficiently. Properly fed, they gain more weight with less feed, reducing your feeding costs, one of the biggest expenses in pig farming.

4. Adaptability
They thrive in well-managed systems and can perform well even under challenging conditions if given proper care. This makes them a safer investment for farmers looking for consistent returns.

5. Management Matters
It’s important to remember: even the best breed won’t make profit on its own. Feed quality, hygiene, health care, and stress-free management all determine whether TN70 pigs reach their growth and reproductive potential.

Key Takeaway:
TN70 pigs have the genetics for fast growth and high litter performance, but profits come from combining good genetics with smart management. Without proper care, even TN70 pigs can underperform.

🔴 Do you keep TN70 pigs on your farm? What’s your experience with their growth and profits compared to other breeds?

INDEX FARM

If Your Pig Pen Smells Strong, This Is The Cause

It’s not just “normal pig smell.”

It is urine accumulation and ammonia buildup.

When urine stays too long on the floor, it mixes with dung and begins to release ammonia gas.

That sharp, choking smell you notice when you enter the pen?

Your pigs are inhaling it all day, every day.

And ammonia is not harmless.

It leads to:
• Coughing and respiratory problems
• Red, irritated eyes
• Slow growth
• Poor feed conversion
• Skin burns and foot lesions
• Increased medication cost

Many farmers invest heavily in quality feed but ignore drainage and ventilation.

Good feed in a dirty environment is wasted money.

If you step into your pig house and the smell hits you immediately, that is a warning sign.

Check your:
• Floor slope
• Drainage channels
• Washing routine
• Ventilation system

Clean pen is part of your production system.

Animal lives matter. And clean environment grows healthy pigs.

Detecting heat (estrus) in a gilt is a critical skill for successful breeding, especially since gilts can be more subtle or "shy" about their signs compared to older sows.
The heat cycle in pigs typically occurs every 21 days (with a range of 18–24 days). Each heat period usually lasts 2 to 3 days, but the window for successful insemination is much shorter.

Physical Signs (The "Red Flags")

Before a gilt is ready to stand for breeding, her body will start showing hormonal changes.
• V***a Swelling and Reddening: This is often the first sign in gilts and can appear 2–3 days before she will actually stand for service. The v***a may also appear moist.
• Mucus Discharge: You may notice a sticky, clear-to-cloudy discharge from the v***a. If you touch it and it feels "tacky" or "sticky," she is approaching or is in peak heat.

Behavioral Signs
Keep a close eye on changes in her daily routine and social interactions.
• Increased Activity: She may become restless, pace the fence line, or attempt to mount other gilts.
• Vocalization: "Barking" or frequent grunting is common as she tries to signal her presence to a boar.
• Reduced Appetite: A gilt in heat often loses interest in her feed or eats much slower than usual.
• Ears "Pinning": Many breeds (especially those with upright ears like largwhites) will stiffen their ears or "flick" them upward when they sense a boar or pressure on their back.

The "Gold Standard" Tests

To confirm the gilt is ready for insemination, you must check for the Standing Reflex.

• Boar Exposure
The most effective method. Bringing a "teaser" boar near the gilt's pen. The pheromones (saliva and smell) from the boar will trigger a standing response much faster than a human can.

• Back Pressure Test
Firmly press both hands on the gilt's lower back or "ride" her (apply weight). If she is in true heat, she will lock her legs and stand completely still (the Standing Response).

Tips for Success at INDEX FARM

• Check Twice Daily: Heat detection should happen every 12 hours (morning and evening). Checking only once a day makes it easy to miss the start of the window.
• Record Everything: Note the date the swelling starts. This allows you to predict the next cycle 21 days in advance.
• Keep it Quiet: Try to detect heat in a calm environment. Stress or loud noises can distract a gilt and mask her standing reflex.