The latest episode of Pharmgate’s Swine Health Hotline dives into the hidden complexities of barn water systems with industry expert Jesse McCoy, vice presdent of operations at Blue Ridge Elements. Host Kasey Brown and Jesse McCoy break down why “looking clean” isn’t enough and offer practical, real-world insights to optimize animal health and treatment success.

• Water is the forgotten nutrient: We invest heavily in genetics and feed but often overlook the quality of water — despite it being the pigs’ largest input. Most farms simply assume water is fine if it flows, missing hidden issues that impact animal performance.
• Line buildup and water delivery matter: Buildup inside water lines not only clogs drinkers but also reduces water volume, directly affecting feed intake and growth. Regular, targeted line cleaning is critical but must be matched to the specific problem and done between turns for best results.
• Mixing and delivery practices impact treatment success: Many medication or additive failures are due to poor mixing practices, residue in unclean buckets, or improper water temperatures, not the water source or product itself. Using clean containers and giving solutions enough time and energy to dissolve can dramatically improve outcomes.

You can send questions to Jesse at jesse@blueridgeelements.com.

Share the Show

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a quick review on your podcast platform — it only takes a few seconds and helps other swine professionals discover the show.

Better yet, share it with a colleague who might benefit.

The swine industry is small, and we’re dedicated to helping its people succeed. We want this podcast to be valuable to you, so send your health questions to lisa.wallace@pharmgate.com, and we’ll get them answered.

Learn more about Pharmgate Animal Health swine solutions.