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Being proactive and planning building inspections on a regular schedule could minimize the exposure to potential issues if found and promptly addressed prior to winter weather.

Use this inspection checklist as a guide to ready your swine facilities for winter weather.

1. Close soffit winter doors to avoid risking a snow filled attic. Inspect and clean open soffits.
2. Inspect curtains for rips and tears. Repair and replace as needed. Install bubble wrap insulation between curtain and bird wire for additional insulation.
3. Inspect bird wire and clean bin pads to keep birds from infecting the site.
4. Check the ventilation system. Fans and louvers should be cleaned to remove dust. Insert solid winter louvers or plastic to reduce drafting.  Test inlet actuators and cabling, and inspect inlets.
5. Verify back up thermostat settings and test.
6. Verify curtain drops work using thermostat not just unplugging the drop.
7. Check all pullies and winches on emergency curtains and grease. Ensure there is no memory in the winch cable or white rust and ensure the clickers on winch have been removed.
8. Verify all pit fans are functional and clean interior housings and louvers.
9. Conduct heater maintenance and test gas lines for leaks.
10. Inspect Feed Bin lids to ensure that they close properly.
11. Evaluate winter rodent control protocols.
12. Drain and winterize cool cell systems and pumps.
13. Repair any leaky waterers or pipes. Insulate exposed pipes to avoid freezing.
14. Seal cracks and inspect for leaks around door jambs.
15. If a backup generator is present, verify it is serviced, has fuel with anti-gelling additive if using diesel, and test run it. Transfer power to ensure power transfers properly. Make sure all employees understand how to operate.
16. Verify all curtain drops are functional, drop cables in place, and perform a drop test.
17. Verify all contact information in the alarm system is up to date.
18. Look for areas in the barn and attic that show moisture.
19. Verify all curtain drops are functional, drop cables in place, and perform a drop test.
20. Verify all contact information in the alarm system is up to date.
21. Look for areas in the barn and attic that show moisture.
22. Remove snow promptly from roofs.
    • • Use extreme caution when removing snow from roofs.
        1. Paint scraped away during removal will cause premature rusting.
        2. Screw heads which have been scraped off or screw holes which have become elongated can allow moisture to enter the attic.
      • ALL ROOFS THAT HAVE HAD SNOW REMOVED IN THE WINTER SHOULD BE INSPECTED IN THE SPRING FOR SNOW REMOVAL AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. CHECK ENTIRE ROOF FOR ANY BACKED OUT OR LOOSE FASTENERS ON ROOF PANELS AND AT ROOF OVERLAP JOINTS.
23. Keep snow from drifting against sidewalls of the building.
24. Do not pile snow under or by eave.
25. Trusses and roof structure (Any Found issues below need to be promptly addressed).
    1. Check that ridge caps and eave inlets have closure strips.
    2. Check that all truss web members are vertical and are not broken or bowed.
    3. Check that trusses are in plane (Sitting vertical, not leaning or out of square to the connected walls and lateral braces).
    4. Check that all truss metal plates are intact and do not show any signs of stress (cracks, twisting, or pulling away from the lumber) or corrosion.
    5. Check for any roof leaks and water damaged purlins or truss members.

The pork industry is constantly evolving, with producers seeking innovative solutions to enhance their facilities and optimize production. Renovating existing barns is a practical and cost-effective way to meet the changing needs of a farm. This remodel offers a glimpse into how a traditional farrowing barn was converted into a modern pig nursery using Hog Slat’s manufactured plastic flooring.

The Original Barn:
The barn originally consisted of seven farrowing rooms, each measuring 22' x 60' and containing 24 farrowing crates. While this design served its purpose, the farm needed a space that could better accommodate its growing operation.


(Photo of 22'x60' room once used for farrowing)

Strategic Remodeling: Optimizing Space
To create a more efficient layout, the center wall between two of the farrowing rooms was removed, expanding the space into three larger nursery rooms (44' x 60') and one smaller room (22' x 60'). This change allowed the remodeled nursery to house up to 800 pigs in the larger rooms and 400 pigs in the smaller one. By allocating 3 square feet of usable space per pig, the design maximizes the area effectively.

(Photo of wall removed, opening floor plan for nursery)

Installing Hog Slat Plastic Flooring
The remodeled nursery was equipped with Hog Slat plastic flooring, a durable and easy-to-clean solution designed for nursery barns. Manufactured at Hog Slat’s facility in North Carolina, our ability to produce the flooring in-house gives us control over both the quality and consistency of the product, ensuring it meets the needs of modern pork operations.

(Hog Slat plastic nursery flooring installed)

Why Hog Slat Plastic Flooring?
Hog Slat plastic flooring offers several advantages:

• Simple Installation: The flooring’s interlocking tab system simplifies installation and enables wider spans with fewer support beams, resulting in cost savings for the producer.
• Durability You Can Trust: Designed to withstand the demands of a pig nursery barn, Hog Slat flooring provides lasting performance, helping producers minimize long-term replacement costs.
• Easy to Clean: With a smooth, self-cleaning surface, Hog Slat flooring makes barn maintenance easy, reducing downtime and promoting a healthy environment for the pigs.
• Optimal Traction: Featuring a textured surface and 3/8" slots, the flooring provides excellent traction, ensuring the pigs' safety as they move around the space.

Ready to start your own remodel? Contact Hog Slat today to discuss your project with one of our knowledgeable representatives.

HS/GPE/ESPS/SAS Sales Representatives Contact Information | Hog Slat

Concrete surfaces in agricultural environments are subjected to harsh conditions, including constant pig traffic and exposure to corrosive acids. These conditions can lead to cracks, spalling, and deterioration, compromising the safety and functionality of facilities. Vantek's V-Gard system offers an advanced concrete restoration and protection solution for these challenges.

Why Concrete Restoration is Essential

Concrete in agricultural settings, especially around wet/dry feeders and high-traffic areas, is prone to rapid wear due to constant exposure to moisture, feed contents, or a combination of both. Damaged concrete can result in safety hazards, increased maintenance costs, and potentially costly repair downtime. 

Restoring and protecting concrete with V-Gard not only addresses these issues but also extends the life of floors, saving time and money in the long run. With a life expectancy of over ten years, V-Gard outlasts other solutions, making it a wise investment for any agricultural operation.

The V-Gard Solution: Versatile and Durable

V-Gard is a versatile system designed to meet the specific challenges of agricultural concrete restoration. Whether needing an overlay, sealer, crack repair, or protective coating, V-Gard can handle it all. Its flexibility in application makes it ideal for various settings, from high-traffic slat floors to non-slip flooring in animal housing areas.

Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions, including acids and continuous pig traffic, V-Gard has demonstrated zero wear over extended periods, even in demanding environments, making it a reliable choice for farmers.

Application and Benefits of V-Gard

Applying the V-Gard system is straightforward. The process typically involves combining V-Gard epoxy with an admix to create a slurry that can be trowel-applied over the damaged surface. After broadcasting the selected aggregate to saturation over the wet slurry, the surface is left to cure, resulting in a robust, long-lasting finish.

For pig farmers, maintaining concrete surfaces ensures the safety and efficiency of the entire operation. Vantek's V-Gard system offers a comprehensive solution for restoring and protecting concrete, extending its life even in the most challenging conditions. With proven results and a straightforward application process, V-Gard is an essential tool for any farm looking to protect its investment in infrastructure.

Invest in V-Gard today to save your concrete's life before the cold weather sets in and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your floors are protected for the long haul. Visit any Hog Slat store or Concrete & Metal Repair | Hog Slat to learn more.