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Feedyard Manager Insists Good Health And Quality Genetics Go Hand In Hand

When it comes to calf health at Chappell Feedlot in southwestern Nebraska, manager Tom Williams gets down to details with customers. Each load is unique, based on their history.

“If we have some health issues, depending on what they are we’ll go back to the ranch for instance, a lot of ranches will have some mineral deficiencies, mineral issues, which may be a problem for adequate development of the immune system,” Williams said. “So in several cases we’ve had people go back and soil test and change their minerals.”

That one-on-one counseling shows in the finished cattle leaving the feedyard and their beef in the grading coolers, but the good health must start on the ranch. Williams advises that calves should be vaccinated twice if possible. He suggests vaccinating once while still nursing and again a couple weeks before moving them to the feedyard. He recommends that cattle be returned to their pens immediately after any doctoring to reduce the chance of reestablishing viruses.
 

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Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.