October 2026 Newsletter - Pork Month
HAPPY PORKTOBER!
Supporting our community during the Clay County Fair!
We had an awesome time supporting our families and customers who were in the ring at the Clay County Fair. We have the 4-H Sale, Ag Olympics, and a few livestock shows posted on our Facebook page if you missed any of the action!
Swine Ventilation Transition to Cool Weather
Harvey Williams, Field Marketer
As we transition from the heat of the summer, it is time to start preparing barn ventilation for the fall and winter weather. With the ever-changing Iowa weather, it is important to have barns prepared for warm days and cool nights. Proper ventilation ensures a good start for new pigs and prevents respiratory issues throughout the whole turn. With harvest in full swing, it always helps to prevent extra work in the barns so you can focus more time in the fields.
Swings in the temperature are common during the fall time, so barns must be set up for different conditions. Having all fans and curtains working properly ensures they can adjust as necessary. You don’t want to jump the gun by covering shutters or tightening up curtains too early in the season. During the high heat of summer, curtains are constantly down, and fans are running full blast. Make sure the barn is also ready to run in minimum ventilation when temperatures are lower. Clean dust and debris off pit fan shutters so louvers can move freely. Replace missing/broken louvers in wall fans as well. Fix gaps in curtains and patch holes where possible to prevent drafts.
At this point of the year, heaters haven’t been running very often and might need some maintenance. Cycle through each heater using the controller to ensure they run properly and run hot. Using a blower to remove dust on the inner components can help the heater run at full potential. Check propane tank levels in case they haven’t been monitored through the summer.
The transition from summer to fall weather can be hard on both the barns
and pigs. Don’t rush to tighten up the barn in preparation for extreme colds
coming in winter. Check the coming weather and make ventilation changes
weekly or even daily. Feel free to reach out to Spencer Ag Center with any barn
or ventilation-related questions.
Dr. Jack's Advice:
Be sure to keep up with your mineral fortification to combat the risk of grass tetany. With all the rain lately, new grass growth might lead to elevated grass tetany risk.
Grass Tetany is typically common during early spring, when new lush forages contain elevated levels of potassium and are deficient in magnesium and sodium. During the spring, we often recommend using mineral products that contain magnesium oxide. To combat the risk, we recommend continuing to have a consistent mineral program, as SAC mineral contains magnesium oxide, which will support this odd season of weather.
Reminder for Rapid Mycotoxin Testing!
Lately, we have acquired a rapid mycotoxin testing kit and staff training to better support our customers. We currently have the capability to test grains and complete feeds for Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, Zearalenone, and DON. This testing will aid in the prevention of mycotoxicosis.
Be sure to reach out to your field marketer if you have any feed samples that you would like tested for mycotoxins!
Preconditioning Calves
Dr. Grace Thompson, DVM
Fall time is quickly approaching, and cattle producers should be thinking about weaning and vaccinating calves. Whether you are a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and participate in the green and gold tag programs or not, preconditioning your calves should be at the top of your priority list this fall.
The goal of preconditioning calves is to boost their immune system and elevate their health status, with the goal of helping prepare those calves for future stressors and pathogens. A good preconditioning program will consist of vaccinating and booste
ring, deworming, castration and dehorning, and possibly implanting, along with good nutrition.
Components of a good preconditioning program:
5-way respiratory vaccine with Mannheimia and Pasteurella Castration
7-way clostridial vaccine with Somnus
Castration
Dehorning
Implanting
A common mistake I see producers making around this time of the year, is working and weaning calves on the same day. I strongly encourage producers to wait at least 2 weeks or more between vaccinating and weaning. By waiting, the calf’s immune system can appropriately respond to vaccines prior to the stressful event of weaning.
Some studies have been done in Texas and Oklahoma on the benefits of preconditioning calves. These studies looked at feedlot closeouts and found that preconditioned calves had about a 7% increased feed efficiency, a 22% decrease in morbidity (sickness), and a 3% decrease in mortality (death). So at the end of the feeding period for a preconditioned calf, there were less medicine costs, less labor costs from treating sick calves, and less costs due to death loss.
Overall, a preconditioning program is extremely beneficial to help a calf get a head start as it moves into the next phase of production. Here at Spencer Ag Center, our veterinarians, along with our field marketers, can help you create a good and solid preconditioning program for your calves.
Congratulations, Dr. Grace & Andrew Quail!
Congratulations to the happy couple on your wedding this September! We wish you many years of love and happiness! -The Spencer Ag Center Team
