News

Most hog producers continue to bleed red ink as December closes out, losses are expected to continue through the first quarter, but the market projects positive margins heading into both the second and third quarters of 2019. Hopefully, the new year will mean better financial opportunities. Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

Live Feed is news information that is sent to our customers by text, email or both. It’s how the feed division shares current industry news with our producers. It gives our customers an opportunity to receive up to date listings of livestock needs and sales, equipment needs and sales and facility availability. Live feed will also send out information such as holiday hours, and scheduled downtimes for our feed mills to help our customers plan their deliveries.     Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

U.S. pork growth has been rapid in recent years. USDA estimates 2018 pork production to be up 13.9% compared to five years ago. Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

Elanco has just introduced “Prevacent PRRS”, which is a modified-live virus vaccine. Prevacent PRRS is for the respiratory form of PRRS that is safe for use in piglets 2 weeks of age or older. The feed team recently attended a meeting with our Elanco representative, where we were introduced to the new vaccine which targets the Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

ARE YOUR BARNS READY FOR WINTER? Frost on the windshield serves not only as a reminder that colder days are not far off, but that it’s time to prepare livestock buildings for winter. It’s important to bring back thoughts of cold weather ventilation. There are three major challenges associated with cold weather ventilation; maintaining a healthy comfortable indoor environment, conserving energy and keeping operating cost down. Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

All our mill sites have customers who are looking for nursery and finishing sites both short and long-term. If you have any interest in visiting about options on contracts available, please contact your local sales representative. Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

Bio-Security is very important to the swine industry. Crystal Valley’s feed division takes bio-security very seriously. For us to do our best to help prevent the spread of disease, we have standard operating procedures (SOP’s) in place. For the prevention of disease spread, we request that all our customers notify their mill of any outbreak, ASAP.   Dave Limoges - Feed Sales Manager

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), an effort to ensure that the food that we eat is safe, was signed into law on January 4, 2011. Last year part one was initiated, and compliance with the industry standard Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) was completed. On Monday, September 17, 2018, Crystal Valley is required to comply with the second part of the FSMA which is the Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls. Brad More - Quality Assurance Coordinator