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• Quick Guide: Spring Start Up for Evaporative Cooling Systems

  Getting your cool cell system ready in spring is one of the most effective ways to prevent summer breakdowns and keep barns cool. Here’s a fast, easy-to-follow checklist to make sure your system is ready for hot weather. 1) Remove & Clean Pads Take off pad retainers and pull…

• Slats: Time for an Inspection? Hear It From a Pro

  Every barn tells a story—of lessons learned, decisions made, and work done right over time. Across the pork industry, few things reveal that story more clearly than how equipment holds up year after year in real-world conditions. That’s something Altenburg Construction…

• Preseason Fan Maintenance: Maximize Summer Cooling Performance

  As temperatures rise, proper ventilation becomes essential for maintaining animal comfort and productivity. Performing preseason maintenance on summer fans is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure maximum airflow during the hottest months. Use this comprehensive…

• Retrofit Your Fans for Powerful Airflow — Without Compromise

  When barns heat up or static pressure rises, traditional belt‑driven induction motors can slow down—right when airflow matters most. Upgrading to a direct‑drive Pro‑EC™ motor delivers the consistent airflow, reliability, and control today’s operations demand. Why Direct Drive…

• Feed Systems in Winter: Prevent Downtime and Reduce Feed Waste

  When temperatures drop, feed systems are put to the test. Motors work harder, bins sweat, chain and auger systems stiffen, and even a small failure can stop delivery to an entire barn. Winter is not the time to be searching for a broken bearing or a jammed tube. A few simple…

• Protecting Barn Floors & Concrete: Faster Cleanouts, Better Biosecurity

  Concrete floors might be one of the toughest parts of a barn—but they take constant abuse. Daily equipment traffic, manure acids, and repeated washdowns wear down the surface. Over time, rough, cracked concrete doesn’t just look bad—it holds moisture, grows bacteria, slows…

• A Year of Hard Work & Progress: Thank You from Hog Slat & Georgia Poultry

  Farming does not slow down just because the calendar does. As 2025 ends, we want to take a moment to say thank you — to the farmers, barn managers, store teams, manufacturing crews, and partners who put in the work every single day. This year brought its challenges: high input…

• Engineering Airflow without Compromise.

  For decades, swine and poultry industries have depended on traditional induction motors; however, their performance can falter under pressure. When faced with heat, wind resistance, or fluctuating loads, they tend to slow down, resulting in reduced airflow right when it’s needed…

• Reflecting on Pork Month: Practical Ways to Keep Improving in 2026

  October’s Pork Month spotlighted the people and practices that keep America’s pork industry moving. With colder weather ahead, now is a good time to step back, look at what worked this year, and plan a few practical upgrades for 2026. The goal is not to overhaul your barns — it…

• Preparing Your Barn for Winter: Practical Steps for a Smooth Season

  As temperatures begin to fall, small problems in barns—drafts, weak heaters, worn curtains—quickly become key issues. Winter prep does not have to be complicated or expensive. The goal is simple: keep air moving the way it should, hold heat where it belongs, and reduce emergency…

• Preparing Your Barn for Winter: Ventilation Checklist

  As winter approaches, proper barn preparation is vital to maintaining the health and productivity of your livestock, particularly in swine facilities. Effective ventilation is key to controlling air quality and temperature. Conducting a ventilation audit before the season starts…

• One more task for winterizing buildings

  We omitted one important task in our winterizing buildings article ...evaporative cool cell systems. The critical point here is draining all the water out of the system to prevent damage during freezing weather. Even if freezing is not a problem in your area, water allowed to…

• Winter Inspection Checklist for Swine Facilities

  With cooler weather approaching, it’s important to make sure your barn is operating efficiently and ready for the winter months ahead. This period from fall to winter offers an opportunity to inspect your buildings prior to the drop in temperatures and before the first snow hits…

• Bait stations improve rodent control

  The use of bait stations improves the effectiveness of any rodent control program. Stations protect baits from rain and dirt, helping the rodenticides stay fresh and potent longer while providing security against access from children and pets. Bait stations also provide an…

• Year-Round Rodent Control: Protecting Your Bottom Line and Biosecurity

  Rodents aren't just a nuisance—they're a significant and costly threat to your profitability and biosecurity. With constant access to feed, water, and shelter, your pig or poultry facility is prime real estate for rats and mice. BY THE NUMBERS: THE TRUE COST OF RODENTS Adult…

• Protect Your Investment: Concrete Slat Replacement

  Efficient livestock operations depend on durable flooring. Regular inspections of concrete slats and support beams are crucial for preventing costly replacements and maximizing the lifespan of your facility. Industry best practices recommend checking slats and beams after each…

• Winter Inspection Checklist for Swine Facilities

  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. Close…

• Farrowing to Nursery: Barn Remodel with Hog Slat Flooring

  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…

• Extend the Life of Your Concrete with Vantek V-Gard

  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…

• Protect your farm's most important asset with Hog Slat's Fall Arrest System.

  Farm injuries are a serious concern for those who work in agriculture. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), falls are a leading cause of injury and death among agricultural workers in the United States. Climbing feed bins is necessary…

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