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Begin your journey here
by Rick Pfortmiller
Welcome to the 2004 Commercial EDGE Reference Issue. NSR is proud to feature our dedicated breeders and their genetic opportunities for you. As a stakeholder in the commercial pork industry, you have numerous genetic routes from which to choose. This issue is focused on assisting you in determining the correct genetics and business paths for your operation. As you chart your course, let me share some observations I have made on my journey through the swine industry.
Value of stockmanship. At a recent swine-veterinary conference, numerous discussions and presentations focused on production challenges of escalating sow mortality, higher culling rates and the increased prevalence of finishing culls, deads and lights found on many of today’s farms.
To the letter, each of the speakers pointed to the need for re-emphasizing the value of stockmanship to aid in identifying problematic animals. Well, I have great news!
The NSR breeders featured in this issue have not forgotten these basics, and they are ready and able to provide genetics that can stand up to today’s production challenges.
While many, if not all, of our genetic competitors focused on high productivity and performance at the expense of animal longevity, our breeders chose a different path and continued to select and breed animals designed for the long term.
Some would argue that our genetic competitors turned these sow herds rapidly for the sake of genetic improvement. I would contend that a sow that stays in the herd for four parities or more has a greater chance to be profitable than females that are culled prematurely at earlier parities due to their condition.
Closed herds for health control. Veterinarians nationwide are revisiting the idea of closing up herds to reduce the risks of live-animal introductions. No question, this requires a different type of animal from your seedstock supplier.
You need genetics that will stand the test of time. Once again, stockmanship plays a key role in selecting grandparent animals that can produce your parent-line females.
Also, when you take this step in health control, absolute size of your genetic supplier is no longer first in selection criteria.
You should be more tuned into the animal’s quality and customized ability to fit your operation.
Identify a breeder that meets your individual needs and work intimately with them. They want you to be a successful customer.
NSR can help you locate the suppliers that fit your needs. We will do what we can to earn your business on behalf of our dedicated breeders.
Pork quality. The entire pork complex – from packer/processor to retail and foodservice to consumers – continue to express the need and desire for more-appealing pork. The challenge: technology has not adapted to trace back the desirable, and – maybe more importantly –undesirable product to the producer level.
NSR, however, is not waiting for the industry to advance in meat quality.
NSR and its commercial seedstock breeders have been evaluating pork quality for nearly 15 years.
And now, through the efforts of the NSR Pork Quality Alliance, we are introducing meat quality EPDs to the industry.
This genetic-improvement tool will be invaluable for producers as they select their next animals. And it will demonstrate to the packing industry and consumers that our product can meet their expectations.
Consumer assurance. Now, more than ever, consumers are demanding more information about what they eat, and in many cases, are paying premiums for this reassurance.
Whether they truly understand their request remains to be seen.
It seems that some producer groups and others attempt to fill the void with product that has a story behind it – including claims of product that is antibiotic-free, free-range, organic or breed-specific; or even touting previous owners. These types of demands require certain traits that many of the corporate genetic companies cannot provide.
What greater story could you tell than of the documented heritage, pork quality and consistency that NSR and its breeders offer! NSR and its commercial breeders can help you source genetics that will meet your specific needs.
NSR and its commercial breeders will continue to focus on genetics that are designed for your success.
Prepared for your success. Whether you are headed down the route of efficient, commodity pork or are pursuing niche-market opportunities, I am confident that we can provide the resources to get you to your destination.
If I can be of assistance to you, please don’t hesititate to call me at (765) 463-3594 or drop me an e-mail at rick@nationalswine.com.
