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Topigs Insider: Producer Profile – Maple Grove Colony

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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Ice Makes Reorganizing & Moving Sheep Hazardous!

Video: Ice Makes Reorganizing & Moving Sheep Hazardous!

Ice makes reorganizing the sheep barns and moving sheep in preparation for lambing very hazardous - it looks more like sheep skating in an ice rink than walking in a barnyard! But, lambing season is quickly approaching, and we have the final group of ewes that require vaccinating prior to lambing, the last breeding rams need to be removed from breeding groups and tattooed, and the barns all need reorganizing to accommodate the new lambs that will be arriving shortly. So, in today’s sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we can no longer wait for better weather conditions and must brave the treacherous ice and hope no one gets injured! This is Canadian sheep farming!