Hair

person s face covered with hair wearing sunglasses

We all need to grow and nurture winning hair. That’s why it’s important to understand at least have a working knowledge of the science. The “Hair Cycle” One of the things people talk about all the time but don’t seem to understand is the hair cycle. There are actually 4 parts of a normal hair…

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WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR SHOW PIG MEDICINE CABINET

One of the frequent things I get asked is what medications show pig families should have on hand. Administering medications to food animals is serious business and proper care should be taken to use the right product at the right time the right way. Make sure that people that are doing so are properly trained…

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WHY WE RECOMMEND FEEDING TRUETRAC FROM DAY ONE

In 2015, a group of researchers from both private companies and Texas A&M University studied the effects of a combination of chelated trace minerals and eggshell membrane as an intervention and prevention of degenerative joint disease (DJD) and osteoarthritis. (OA) in multiple species including swine. In a nutshell, they found that supplemental chelated trace minerals…

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ULCERS IN SHOW PIGS

One of the topics that always come up are ulcers in show pigs.  There are some infectious diseases that cause vomiting along with scours and certain mycotoxins can cause vomiting.  With those exceptions when you see a show pig vomiting they almost certainly have a gastric ulcer.  So what are the causes of gastric ulcers? …

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GETTING READY TO FARROW

This time of year the question “What do we need to have and know to farrow our first gilt?” shows up in our inbox and on social media a bunch.   We aren’t going to go into facilities except to say you need somewhere that you can keep 70 degrees or so draft free and provide…

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BLOODY BACK, CRACKED BACK, DIPPITY PIG

Whatever name you’ve heard used this syndrome is a common problem in show pigs and something we get asked about almost daily.  WHAT IS IT: Pigs that develop painful bloody sores on the back, hind end weakness, and fever.  It tends to be sudden onset so your pig may be fine at evening chores and have a bloody…

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TRUETRAC CATTLE

I watched a steer show not that long ago and the heavier the cattle got the more it sounded like someone poured milk on some rice krispies.  There was a lot of popping going on as those heavier steers walked in.  It prompted me to rethink a project we started a few years ago and just didn’t…

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SHOW PIG RECEIVING VACCINATIONS REVISED APRIL 2022

If buying pigs from one source with no commingling the breeder’s vaccination program can augment this protocol.  If buying pigs from multiple farms, through an online sale (with commingling during transport) or from live sales ignore any prior vaccinations and do the entire program. On Arrival: 1.     Broad spectrum antibiotic 2.     First three days after…

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DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR SHOW PIGS

Great skin and hair is as necessary as a great feeding program.  Skin and hair is one of the things that contributes most to a fresh appearance.  But there are no shortcuts, to get great skin and you need to put in the work. Here is a step by step guide of what you need…

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