Topigs Insider: Producer Profile – Maple Grove Colony

Sep 16, 2024

Maple Grove Colony, established in 1981, is located in southwestern Manitoba and has a population of over 125 people. Like most Hutterite colonies, it has a diverse range of operations, farming 4,000 acres, managing 8,000 laying chickens, and running a 1,200-sow farrow-wean pig production unit.

The colony’s hog barn was originally built in 1984 as a 300-sow farrow-to-finish unit, later upgraded in 1998 to a 1,200-sow farrow-to-wean facility. In 2009-10, the original herd was depopulated and repopulated with GAP genetics. Since 2016, they have used Topigs Norsvin genetics, primarily TN70 gilts and TN Duroc sires, producing excellent offspring.

Currently, Maple Grove Colony has a farrowing rate of 91.3% and weans 12.76 piglets per litter, resulting in 31.21 pigs weaned per mated female per year. The colony’s production team is led by Michael David Waldner, with key team members Travis Waldner and Adam Waldner contributing significantly to the barn’s success.

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Video: Same Grit, New Name: A Conversation with Ryan Calistro of Bower Ag

Swine Leaders Live, we sit down with Ryan Calistro, President of Bower Ag, to discuss a major brand transition in the ag construction and solutions space—and what it means for swine producers. Bower Ag represents a new, unified identity, bringing together Ag Property Solutions, Dairy Specialists, and The Dairy Solutions Group under one name. But as Ryan explains, this isn’t about change for the sake of change—it’s about strengthening what already works and delivering more value to producers.

We dive into:

• What Bower Ag is and why the transition was made

• What stays the same for longtime customers

• How combining multiple businesses creates new opportunities for producers

• What today’s producers are asking for—and how Bower Ag is responding

• Key insights heading into World Pork Expo

If you’ve worked with APS before—or are evaluating partners for your next project—this conversation provides a clear look at where Bower Ag is headed and how they’re positioning themselves for the future.