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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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The Ewe I've Been Waiting For Has Lambed!

Video: The Ewe I've Been Waiting For Has Lambed!

The ewe I have been waiting for to have lambs has finally lambed. She is one of our favorite sheep at Ewetopia Farms and she is also one of our oldest ewes. She was so round with lambs that she was almost prolapsing from the pressure of the size of her belly. We thought she would be one of the first to give birth, but she was one of the last in the first group! Come see who it was and see how lambing worked out for her.