Manure Matters: Shallow Injection

Jan 01, 2013

Shallow injection and tire pressure help this hog farmer put a higher value on waste

Where some smell waste, Jake Kraayenbrink smells lost opportunity. Wise words from an uncle early in Jake's career in hog farming made a big impact and helped shape his lifetime outlook on the value of manure.

When Jake began farming in the mid-80s, broadcasting liquid hog manure on crop land was common practice.

At the time, Kraayenbrink had too much manure for his 100-acre farm, and manure had little value to others. Today, he and his family operate a 350-sow, farrow-to-finish operation, and sell high health breeding stock around the world.

As his hog herd increased he continued to seek innovative solutions to everyday situations. Kraayenbrink secured funding through the Farm Innovation Program (FIP) with the help of Ontario Pork, to explore two European-inspired, on-farm ideas related to manure. FIP is a federal-provincial-territorial program under Growing Forward.

With the help of industry experts, Kraayenbrink recently completed two FIP projects based on his ideas about injecting manure directly into growing crops and reducing soil compaction when spreading manure on neighbouring lands.

To read more about this project, go to:
http://www.ontariopork.on.ca/Portals/0/Docs/Programs/farm/FIP_1152&1035_story_FINAL.pdf

Source: OntarioPork

Video: CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.