Satisfying The Next Generation

"Farmweld products are just built to a higher standard than other companies out there," says Ben Klocke

When cousins Ben and Ryan Klocke, both 22, wanted to become contract pig growers, they knew where to turn for advice. Their dads, Dave and Dennis Klocke, have built a successful, 2,700-head farrow-to-wean operation and have years of experience feeding hogs as part owners in a production company.

As Ben and Ryan developed wish lists for their Templeton, IA, facilities, they knew that allowing for feed withdrawal prior to marketing was a must. “The pigs cut out better,” explains Ben.

In 2007, Ben and Ryan each built 2,400-head finishing buildings with 38’ x 19’ pens that hold 100 pigs per pen. To allow for feed withdrawal, each pen was designed with a small sorting pen utilizing only an extra post and two extra gates per pen. The sort pens, which hold 25 head, have one water cup but no access to feeders. Pigs are manually sorted into the small pens the night before pigs are shipped to market. “We can sort a pen in less than ten minutes,” Ben says.

The younger Klockes selected Farmweld feeders, water cups and gating after observing how satisfied their fathers were with the quality of Farmweld equipment. Last summer, the elder Klockes replaced worn-out flooring on 384 crates with Farmweld Modular Cast Center Platforms and Farmweld Flooring System plastic panels. “I looked at all the flooring options, and this was the most durable product and best quality for the money,” says Dave Klocke, Ben’s dad.

Ben and Ryan are very impressed with the quality workmanship that went into the Farmweld gating. They say each gate was straight and easy to install. They are also very pleased with the Farmweld Jumbo Feeder with the Flip-to-Clean™ system. “Farmweld products are just built to a higher standard than other companies out there,” Ben concludes.