Mara Rozitis of Tache, MB, calls herself a pig farm problem solver. The owner-operator of Signature Swine Solutions provides hands-on support for hog farms.
“Lately, this has involved temporary labour because nobody is too interested in producing more pork! I can jump into any role without training, smoothing out tough times when farms are short-staffed or facing a disease,” said Mara.
In better times, she provides production consulting to improve the bottom line. Many input costs in pig farming don’t change much, so improving production by any margin makes a big difference to profitability.
“My specialty is improving productivity and efficiency by working with existing staff and leadership team.”
A sow farm experienced a PED outbreak during under-staffing, creating a challenging situation. Recognizing the urgency, she stepped in to provide temporary labour and focused on the most critical tasks, such as processing piglets and assisting with farrowing sows. This proactive approach helped the farm maintain smooth operations and morale high amidst the crisis.
When labour costs keep escalating, high feed prices, and bio-security and staffing present undue challenges for Manitoba hog producers, Rozitis interviews farm leadership to understand their main objectives and areas of concern.
This initial step often involves data analysis, which helps pinpoint where improvements are most needed. Once on-site, Mara works closely with staff and management to build rapport and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities unique to that farm.
After identifying critical areas for improvement, Mara collaborates with the leadership team to develop an implementation plan addressing one or two high-impact areas. This strategic approach ensures the changes will add significant value to the farm’s operations.
Throughout the implementation process, I prioritize communication and support, making myself available to address any questions or issues.
Mara believes in allowing sufficient time for each change to take root and become ingrained in the farm’s culture before moving on to the next improvement opportunity. This gradual approach allows for measurable successes, keeps staff motivated, and fosters ongoing engagement.
Last year, she collaborated with a sizable farrow-to-wean operation facing production and staff morale challenges. By immersing herself in every aspect of their operations, she pinpointed areas for improvement. One critical step was assisting the leadership in hiring new managers who were more receptive to change, as the existing managers resisted improvements.
“I supported the new management and barn staff during this transition, providing guidance and leadership during a challenging period.”
The primary concerns of the farm leadership were to boost weekly pig production while maintaining high pig quality to satisfy their buyer. Over three months, we achieved significant improvements, including reducing pre-weaning mortality rates, lowering labour costs, cutting sow mortality in half, and consistently increasing weekly pig weaning rates by 3-6 per cent at total market value. These improvements have continued to yield benefits nearly a year later.
Key factors contributing to the success of this project included effective communication with the farm leadership and staff.
One common efficiency challenge on hog farms is the tendency to stick to traditional methods without considering alternative approaches. Mara often encounters the mindset of “We’ve always done it this way, and it works fine.” However, her experience has shown that exploring different methods can significantly improve efficiency.
For instance, a common oversight on many farms is the need for more emphasis on individual sow care. Treating a sick sow promptly can make a substantial difference. If an ill sow gets treatment on day one, the chances of her fully recovering are much higher than waiting until day two.
“Delayed treatment can result in complications such as abortion or the need for euthanasia, which are not only distressing but also costly,” she said.
By instilling discipline in the daily care routine to ensure every sow is checked and treated promptly, farms can save time and money and maintain high staff morale. This simple shift in approach can significantly impact overall farm efficiency and productivity. •
— By Harry Siemens