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Brentwood Colony | Focusing on Improvement

Brentwood Colony of Faulkton, South Dakota, has placed a specific focus on profitability in business. The pig entity of Brentwood Colony, ProPork, takes a community perspective, with a swine business mentality. This allows the team to track accurate financial information & remain a profitable business.

ProPork is a farrow-to-finish operation, raising 3,200 sows in two barns on-site. Pigs are finished off-site, finshing 80,000-85,000 per year.

The Hutterian Brethren is a community of family focused individuals who live and work on the Hutterite colony. The communal lifestyle finds its roots in the biblical teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

“In my mind, the value of a colony is the trust of others in an environment of those who care for each other,” said Nathan, hog boss. “On the colony, we try to raise kids right. We have our own school, provide a roof over our head, and we have meals together.”

In addition to ProPork, the pig business, Brentwood Colony operates a grain farming operation and on-site feed mill, and has a manufacturing business, building houses, closets, and cabinets.

Nathan started managing the East Sow barn in 2000 and took over management of the South Sow barn in 2011. “I enjoy the business aspect of pig farming,” Nathan said. “My mind is always going, constantly looking for opportunities to improve. If something doesn’t work, then something is missing.”

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Synthetic Microbiota Explained - Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau

Video: Synthetic Microbiota Explained - Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau


In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau, from the University of Montreal, explains how synthetic microbiota and bioreactor systems can help researchers study gut microorganisms, evaluate feed additives, investigate Salmonella control strategies, and develop alternatives to animal trials. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Bioreactor models can screen microbiota solutions before animal trials, lowering costs and reducing the number of pigs needed."

Meet the guest: Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau / alexandre-thibodeau-2493a540 is an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal, in Canada, with a PhD in Veterinary Science and Microbiology. His work focuses on swine gut health, food safety, microbiota research, pathogen control, and alternative research models that support animal production and welfare. His research explores innovative strategies to better understand interactions among microorganisms and to improve livestock health outcomes. Learn more from Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.