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Broiler houses at a Georgia farm.

When it comes down to it, the cost of manufacturing a high-quality product is the same for most companies producing equipment for the livestock and poultry markets. Most companies have identified the most efficient methods to build an anchor bearing, motor, feeder, nipple waterers, etc.

The real cost difference comes from the delivery of those products to the end user. The standard model of distribution, in our industry, involves a manufacturer producing a product line, warehousing it, and employing a sales force to establish a dealer network.

The dealer network stocks the equipment, maintains a storefront, hires salespeople, installs, and services the production systems in a local area for the brand of equipment they represent.

This particular type of distribution model has changed very little over the history of the livestock and poultry production industries. Each member of this distribution model is an independent business entity and is free to add whatever margins they deem necessary (or possible) to the final cost a producer pays.

GrowerSELECT supply chain removes extra margins to reduce the final cost to end users.

Sold through a different type of distribution model, GrowerSELECT goes directly to livestock and poultry growers through our network of regional local stores. Because we own the distribution chain from top to bottom, we add only ONE MARKUP over our cost.

Our cost is based on finished goods plus ONE MARKUP vs. MULTIPLE MARKUPS from the typical distribution model.

Also, we would suggest that we are the low-cost producer for most products. Wait a minute; the first paragraph said the cost of manufacturing was the same for everyone.

True. But if a brand has a loyal dealer network, the pricing to the dealer network will not be challenged. A loyal dealer will continue to buy brand name products even if the cost is excessive.

GrowerSELECT auger motor with 2-year warranty.

Name brand motors are a perfect example of this. An auger or fan company buys a motor from a motor manufacturer, puts their logo on it and sells it to a local supplier. The local supplier sells the motor to the end user adding little value to the final price. A local supplier has few other options. Their volume of a particular motor isn’t high enough to go directly to a motor manufacturer, and they have little negotiating power with their chosen brand vendor. The brand company has little incentive to lower the cost to a loyal dealer network. In fact, a brand company can charge different prices in different geographical locations depending on market pressure.

Compare this with GrowerSELECT motors. Our network of over 70 store locations and turnkey construction business allows for large purchases of motors direct from a manufacturer. We forecast purchase amounts for each store location and ship directly with minimal warehousing cost. Local retail pricing continually drives us to buy at a more competitive price.

The conventional distribution chain is directed from the TOP DOWN versus the GrowerSELECT model which is driven from the BOTTOM UP. Lower pricing for comparable products is the result.

The GrowerSELECT distribution model also affects product responsibility. Because we interact directly with the end users, we deal directly with any problems arising with the installed products. We sell it; we service it, and the end user works with one company.

The traditional marketing chain allows room for some question regarding who is responsible for dealing with equipment failures when those problems arise. The manufacturer can blame poor installation, dealer system design, or a number of other reasons (excuses) for a product’s failure. A local supplier can blame the brand company for poor design or manufacturing flaws. The GrowerSELECT distribution system eliminates “finger pointing” and focuses on providing accountability to each and every customer.

Our customers produce commodities. The lowest cost commodity producer is always the most successful. Our mission is to provide our customers long term value at the lowest possible cost.

Ask yourself this question; “Are all the manufacturers, distributors, dealers, installers, and service personnel creating ADDED VALUE in the distribution chain I buy from?” If you hesitated while answering that question, take the next step by changing the way you buy and implementing GrowerSELECT equipment into your operation.

To contact a sales representative in your area or find our nearest locations to you, click here.

Billy Dossett in front of his (4) 44′ x 500′ broiler houses at Windy Hill Farms near Collins, MS

When Billy Dossett decided to replace the 14-year-old feeding system in his broiler houses, he turned to Georgia Poultry to supply the equipment.

The Collins, Mississippi grower, explained; “We had started growing a heavier bird and wanted to change from a three on ten to a four on ten arrangement for extra feeding space. We installed the GrowerSELECT Classic Flood feeders in two buildings and a leading competitive brand in two other buildings. Over the next year, we trialed the two feeders side by side over five flocks. The Classic Flood feeders came out on top for feed conversion in four out of the five flocks.”

GrowerSELECT Classic Flood pan feeders.

Billy continued, “The GrowerSELECT feed systems just haven’t given me any trouble, and the performance is great. I feel like I can be competitive with anybody using GrowerSELECT equipment. A grower needs to look down the road when it comes to choosing equipment. With my old equipment, a replacement motor would cost close to $500. That same part from GrowerSELECT is less than $200. Maintenance costs can add up in a hurry if you’re not careful.”

Billy and Georgia Poultry sales representative Derin Bonner

“The folks at Georgia Poultry have been there every time I’ve needed something. Poultry equipment is specialized, and you can’t just pick up spare parts at a hardware store. I like having a stocked parts store close to me for emergency repairs.”

Watch the Classic Flood video below or go http://www.hogslat.com/classic-flood-poultry-pan-feeder to learn more about the advantages of  GrowerSELECT’s Classic Flood poultry feeders.

Most commercial broiler farms utilize an evaporative system to provide cooling during hot weather. Although there is no substitute for regular maintenance and cleaning, choosing the right system can reduce repairs.  In part one, we compare Hog Slat’s trough design and features against competitive brands.

Hog Slat’s Evap System features a square trough to increase the water reservoir by over 24% when compared to 8″ PVC pipe. This extra capacity allows water draining from the pads to be collected for re-circulation without overflowing. In a typical 80′ system this adds up to 168 gallons compared to only 128 gallons for an 8″ diameter PVC trough.

The Hog Slat trough cover is designed with more inches of open area to permit faster drainage away from the bottom of the pads. If the pad bottoms  remain saturated, they can get soft and in extreme cases sag and fall out of the system.  We show a comparison of  the amount of open area per linear foot of trough.

The most secure method for supporting the trough is to place the bottom directly on a concrete base. This type of installation eliminates the need for support brackets. The flat bottom of the Evap System sits directly on a concrete pad without additional supports.
Troughs with round bottoms such as a pipe or U-shaped troughs require the use brackets to hold them on the concrete. The bottom doesn’t sit directly on the concrete, with damage to the trough resulting from the brackets cutting into the plastic.

For installation requiring brackets, the Hog Slat design provides better support. The heavy Bi-Fold bracket is a full four inches wide and spreads the bearing load over a greater area compared to narrow  brackets. The bracket also features two support legs instead of one to prevent twisting.

Hog Slat’s wide 4″ bracket allows mounting on a 4×4 post when building framing lumber is not available or system is installed away from the building.

Trough repairs are simple and leak free by using two couplers. Repairs to round bottom trough are time-consuming and often results in leaks.

See Part 2, Pad & Fasteners

See Part 3, Pumps & Sumps

Most commercial broiler farms utilize an evaporative system to provide cooling during hot weather. Although there is no substitute for regular maintenance and cleaning, choosing the right system can reduce repairs. In part 2, we compare pad, distribution and fasteners of Hog Slat’s Evap System against competitive brands.

The Evap System features a large capacity spray bar with more holes per running foot to reduce pad streaking. Attaching the sections with bell connectors eliminates the dry areas in the pad common with coupled spray bars.

Pad saturation is enhanced because the top deflector angles the water flow to the outside of the pad. By directing the water to the outside surface, the water is pulled through the pad wetting the full 6″ width. Designs with the water deposited in the middle of the pad may not utilize the entire pad.

The Hog Slat system features three robust, easy-to-remove, Tri-Knob nuts with brass inserts to hold each aluminum pad retainer in place. Each section of the deflector and pad retainer is joined with connector clips to prevent dips or bows in the installation.

Manufactured from heavyweight Saturation Grade Kraft paper for high absorption rate and glued with proprietary resins mixed with additives for fire resistance and fungus protection. H2PAD pad is then triple cured in precisely controlled ovens and cut to exact lengths. 3/4″ ProTec edging extends pad life by protecting against UV and mechanical damage. Additional ProTec coating is available on the pad bottoms to guard against premature damage.

See Part 1, Troughs

See Part 3, Pumps & Sumps

Most commercial broiler farms utilize an evaporative system to provide cooling during hot weather. Although there is no substitute for regular maintenance and cleaning, choosing the right system can reduce repairs. In part 3, we compare  pump and sump tanks options for Hog Slat’s Evaporative System.

The jet pump system has several advantages starting with an open, drip proof, air cooled motor that does not have to operate in water. Repairs are less expensive because a jet pump has two components; the motor can be replaced separately from the impeller assembly. Repairs are easier with a jet pump because the assembly is above ground, and you don’t have to pull the pump out of a sump tank like a submersible pump to perform repairs. The strainer basket protects the impeller assembly from debris.

Side discharge design delivers higher volumes than competitors center discharge pumps so water reaches the ends of long pad runs. 3/4 hp pump is available in 115V or 230V models.

The Hog Slat submersible pump is specially designed for cool cell system applications and not just adapted from other industries. Re-designed vortex impeller produces lower head pressure and higher water volume, resulting in an efficient 1/2 hp pump with the same output as normal 3/4 hp submersible pumps.

The Hog Slat sump tank design does not require it to buried in the ground like conventional T-Tank sumps. On systems where trough height permits an above ground installation, the tank will set directly on a concrete pad. For below ground installations, the Evap System sump tank features a molded lower lip with a rounded bottom profile to help prevent it from “floating” out of saturated ground when the tank is empty.

See Part 1, Troughs

See Part 2, Pad & Fasteners 

Margin Stacking is a term that may or may not be familiar to you.  It refers to the cost or profit margin that each member of the supply chain contributes to bring a product to the end user. Every manufacturer, distributor, and dealer adds their own margin and the final cost includes these “stacked margins.”

This type of distribution system has evolved over time and in many cases is the best method to deliver products efficiently to consumers.  The margins charged by these “middle men” aren’t evil or bad as long as they add value to a product through manufacturing, warehousing, installation or technical support.

We would all agree that the structure of the poultry and hog industries has changed a great deal in the last 20 years, and some parts of the supply chain have changed along with it.  At one time, local dealers sold, mixed and delivered complete feed to production sites.  As producers became larger, they quickly moved to reduce the number of people involved in formulating and manufacturing feedstuffs and realized substantial cost savings.

The supply chain to deliver feed systems and ventilation systems has not changed for decades.  Companies design and manufacture products, warehouse, finished goods and hire representatives to “set up” local dealer networks. The dealers provide a storefront, promote the brand locally, order and stock parts, hire salespeople and installation crews.  The industry is still delivering production equipment to the end user the same way it did when the number of producers was much larger.

Hog Slat developed the GrowerSELECT® line to collapse the supply chain, reduce margins and lower the final cost.  How?

Hog Slat established a network of company stores in the major livestock and poultry production areas of the U.S.   This system was backed up with distribution centers totaling over 600,000 square feet. We control distribution costs and the margins charged against the final purchase price.

The resulting volume of goods sold through our store system and large turnkey construction business enabled Hog Slat to justify the investment needed to manufacture feed and ventilation systems for our customers. We design and control the manufacturing process and the costs involved.

Typically, manufacturing companies do not have retail systems in place to deliver, install and service systems on a local level. Local dealers do not have volumes large enough to hire engineers to design and manufacture products for their local markets.  Hog Slat is the only equipment supplier in the poultry and swine industries to integrate the supply chain vertically.

If you have priced any GrowerSELECT equipment, you have probably been pleasantly surprised at the cost savings. You may have even hesitated to buy it because of the low price.   After all, “you only get what you pay for” is true. Buying products through the traditional distribution means you are paying the built in margin stack.  If you are ready to stop paying “margin stack” on feed and ventilation systems contact one of our local stores about GrowerSELECT, go online to www.hogslat.com  or call 800-949-4647.

Hog Slat’s Romanian manufacturing operation, located in Arad, received  ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications earlier this year. The audit and certification process was performed by SC MS-ISOROMCERTIFICATION SRL., a UKAS accredited auditing company. 

Every process and business management procedure in the Romanian operation was compared to ISO 9001 requirements for quality management systems including; documentation control, record keeping, staff training, quality standards and operational conformance to the system. After implementation, continuous internal audits and an annual external audit will continue to monitor and improve operations. 

Because of the ISO 9001 certification, Hog Slat’s European customers will see better quality products, improved scheduling and more reliable deliveries.

The ISO 14001 certification provides an Energy Management System to reduce waste and control energy costs.  

In addition, the OHAS 18001 certification strives to create a safe work environment for employees and minimize production delays due to workplace injuries.  

 Congratulations to General Manager, Daniela Minda and the entire Romanian staff on achieving these certifications.  

The FARMSTEAD broiler flock has a growing appetite! Feed is always available for them, but when they are really hungry they all want to be at the feeder together. The 30 pound hanging poultry feeder provides plenty of space and the needed capacity to keep multiple days worth of feed available to a smaller flock or meet the feeding needs of a larger flock without having to refill as often. The design of the hanging feeder allows 3 different adjustments to control the amount of feed that flows into the pan which helps reduce wasted feed that might be pushed out of the pan if the level was too high. We started the birds as chicks using the 15 pound hanging poultry feeder, which is the same design but does not feature an adjustable feed flow rate.

As you can see in the video above, the feeder is hanging from the chicken tractor’s roof frame which serves multiple beneficial purposes. First, when the feeder is hanging as opposed to sitting on the ground, it discourages the birds from trying to scratch the feed and also makes the red edge of the feed pan an unstable platform which discourages the birds from trying to perch or roost on the feeder. Next, when the feeder is hanging you can move the coop without having to pull the feeder out first. Lastly, when the feeder is off the ground it makes it more difficult for ants or other bugs to get into the feed.

Both models of the plastic hanging feeder are easy to clean when they become dirty or after you’ve finished raising your flock. Simply brush loose any solid debris from the feeder, soak in a tub of water and cleaning solution for 10 minutes, wipe down the interior and exterior of the feeder and then rinse clean. Hang the feeder out to dry or wipe down with paper towels and you’ll be ready to refill with feed or store until you need to feed your next flock.

Browse our full selection of FARMSTEAD Equipment to help you raise your poultry at www.hogslat.com/farmstead-equipment.

One of the benefits we list for the Grow-Disk system is a “superior chain.”  The feed chain with molded plastic disks is the main component of the system, physically moving feed to a feeder or sow drop.

I dropped in on Hog Slat’s engineering group to see what I could find out.  I found Tim Hawkins, the project engineer for the Grow-Disk product line. Tim led me to a complicated looking run of 12 corners occurring in less than eight feet with intersecting vertical and horizontal corners.

“The drive unit is off of it now,” Tim explained,  “but we ran different brands of chain through this setup to show accelerated wear. Look at this…..see the metal filings in the bottom of the corner? Those showed up when we ran the last batch of electroplated chain through the unit.  The process of electroplating weakens steel causing it to wear faster.”

“This confirmed the difference between using hardened steel compared to galvanized or electroplated chain.  Hardened steel is high carbon steel given heat treatments of quenching followed by tempering.  The result is tough steel chain that resists wear without being brittle. We can run a hardened chain for days and never see filings like that.”

“With most chain feeding systems you have to adjust for “chain stretch” after the systems have operated for awhile.  We don’t think the individual chain links stretch but as they go around corners constantly rubbing together they elongate because of wear.”

“The only reason, to galvanize steel, is to prevent rust.  With the fat and oils in the feed, the chain doesn’t rust in the tube.  Most brands of feeding chain is galvanized for it’s appearance before installation.  A new bag of Grow-Disk may have some surface rust on it, not a big deal.”

We next looked at how well the plastic disks are fastened to the chain.

“We placed each brand of chain link in a load cell and attached it to a winch, measuring the force needed to pull the disks off the link.”

“Most of the disks pulled off at 300 lbs., although one slipped at only 160 pounds!  We applied over 600 lbs. of force to the Grow-Disk disk before it slipped.”

“First of all, the disks are manufactured from nylon, a stronger, denser plastic instead of polypropylene.
Second, if you look closely at all the chains the connector welds are smooth, except on the Grow-Disk chain….see the little knob?  That knob prevents the nylon disk from slipping…the nylon has to break instead of just slipping.”

“Most feeding chain suppliers buy general purpose chain with the knob removed. By using a chain fabricated “in-house” and designed specifically for feed systems, we can produce a superior product.”

“A strong plastic disk is important because the drive sprocket powering the entire system makes contact with each, single disk for a brief moment.  If an individual disk slips this causes the chain to be slightly out of alignment causing possible jams.”

You can be confident using Grow-Disk chain knowing you are buying the very best even though the cost is usually less.

Hog Slat streamlined distribution system reduces margin stacking.  We manufacture and source products direct to you….eliminating extra dealer margins.

Good product engineering does not add cost to a product but instead takes manufacturing processes into account to reduce costs. It costs no more to spec a hardened chain with knobs intact to provide a better contact for injecting the nylon disk.  The result is a superior product that lasts longer on your farm.

Grow-Disk systems, read more…

The FARMSTEAD broiler flock has moved outdoors! Their new home is a custom designed and built mobile “chicken-tractor” coop that is pulled forward one length each day onto fresh grass. This means there is no cleaning the coop floor and fresh grass and bugs to eat every morning. The birds took right to their new surroundings and were eating grass and foraging for bugs within minutes. The flock is now 4 weeks old and feathered enough to stay outdoors full time.

The coop is built from treated lumber, 29 gauge painted metal and 3′ wide plastic coated metal poultry wire.  Although heavy enough to resist wind and predators, the coop can easily be pulled forward by a single person.

Equipped with one 3 nipple drinking bucket and a 30 pound hanging chicken feeder, the coop is plenty big enough for our 13 broiler chickens and has the capacity for around 30-35 grown birds. The feeder and water bucket are easily attached and removed for refilling or cleaning with 1/4″ Zinc Snap Hooks and a short length of stainless steel #1 bowtye chain.

For all your backyard poultry and hog equipment needs, be sure to check out the FARMSTEAD Equipment line at www.hogslat.com/farmstead-equipment.