Van Gorp Expands Feeder Pig Operation Near Killduff
Junior Van Gorp builds a large feeder pig business near Killduff, now with 500 sows and plants to sell about 5,000 pigs this year. He shifted from a farrow to finish to faster turnover via private local sale, with ongoing farrowing and a new gestation shed for bred sows. He faced a January TGE outbreak with 600 head loss but now vaccinates and notes market prices influence feeder pig values against hog futures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Junior van Gorp
van Gorp
Killduff
Ver Ploeg
Sully
FPA
Laverne van Gorp, Jr
New OSHA farm equipment guarding rules take effect Oct 25
OSHA will require guards on all power takeoff points on tractors and powered equipment and clear in place signage by Oct 25. Regulations also ban unintended starts during maintenance and demand annual safety instructions for operators. Nip point guarding and compliant equipment purchases are required, with details via OSHA 2256 at the county extension office in Oskaloosa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Don Arendt
Mahaska County
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA
Dale Hull
Iowa State University
Hull
Oskaloosa
Inside a Hog Factory Farm with Gas Heaters and Concrete Pens
The farm near Van Gorp features slatted floors with total pits below and gas infrared heaters. Sows are housed in a gestation shed, farrowing area, and other buildings, while some are placed in pasture or outside. A pond fronts the house, and feeding is mostly by hand using five gallon buckets. A large sign reading Pig Factory sits on the driveway.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
van Gorp
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sully Area Pork Producers
Macy Stockyards
Sully, Iowa
National Pork Producers Council
Dept
Grand Ave
Des Moines
Iowa
Your Parl Producers Association
Grinnell Livestock
Ralph Fleener
Kgrn - 1410
Cross & Sons
Mlis-Chalmers
Allis-Chalmers
Killduff, Iowa
Golden Sun
DIAL
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