Dr. Rod Johnson

Cup waterers are being touted by leading veterinarians as an excellent option for wean-to-finish barns, in addition to traditional nurseries and finishing barns.

Dr. Rod Johnson, swine practitioner with Swine Health Center, Morris, MN, and director of veterinary services for Genetipork USA, Inc., says he "highly recommends" the Farmweld DRIK-O-MAT® Water Cup. "This is one of the true inventions in the hog business that has provided improved utility through simplicity," says Johnson.

Johnson says the simple design of the Farmweld DRIK-0-MAT allows for minimal eye contact and no banging or loud noises while pigs are drinking. He also says that cups eliminate some injuries that can be caused by nipple waterers.

Water savings are also impressive, according to Johnson. "I've stood and watched how pigs drink and I don't see any water spilling from these cups," he says. "It is an excellent cup when medicating a group of pigs."

		Dr. Tim Loula

Drs. Tim Loula and Paul Yeske, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN, recommend cup waterers because small pigs learn to drink from them easily and they require less management than nipple waterers. There's no need to adjust placement of cups and they are less sensitive than nipple waterers to water flow rates and pressure.

"Cup waterers will improve consumption by the weaning pigs," says Loula. "Some pigs have trouble figuring out nipple waterers and don't drink enough. Sometimes they don't drink at all. This decreases feed consumption."

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