A New Pig Barn? 

This is a great example of why your channel is one of the most valuable channels on RU-vid today. You constantly teach people by your example that you don't have to have the latest and greatest to have a great farming operation. Instead of building a new building, you make use of what you have. Whether it's your chicken trailer, your feed and water dishes from cut off barrels or that scrap lumber which can be used for everything, you show people how they can save money while providing themselves with the infrastructure they need. There's a long way and a lot of money between what's pretty and what works.

Pete I love your channel for your humbleness and intelligence. You aren’t buying new expensive tractors, building new “Dream shop’s” and you make an emphasis on farming as a business. You are very relatable compared to other channels. Thanks for keeping your originality on your channel.

Pete this is another example why I think you're one of the absolute best channels on RU-vid! Practical and real talk about how to make due with what you have. Great idea about reusing your existing barn. Love your channel!

What a great video. I think it’s one of your best. Applying common sense, working through an issue…. Coming to a workable and practical solution…. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

"Utilize what you have." Great advice for us all, no matter our circumstances!

How much better off would the world be if we all stopped and asked, "Instead of buying something new, can I use what I currently have better?" Very sage advise Pete.

Pete, I have never been a farmer and at age 78 will never be,however I really admire your dedication to the preservation of the way of life for those who feed America. Your tractor restoration is also a pleasure to watch. Keep up this fine channels work

Two years ago I found your videos and started raising pigs. We now farrow 5 sows and just invested in a new farrowing pen setup (6 stalls with covered shelters, 3 pens and a "paddock" area for humans to move around in).

As always the thinking man solves his problems with little to no waste. You have the building and I'm sure the "junk" can be moved together in the further opening near the piglets. Sometimes cost becomes the mother of necessity. Bravo on your choice. I look forward to your change and hope for your success.

Thanks for the entertainment while I drink my morning coffee! You and your channel have been a major inspiration for me. Recently I was given the opportunity to purchase 40 acres of my families land, which is half hay field, and half hardwood. I decided to peruse the purchase and am excited for the future. Keep up the great content!

Re-Tasking and remodeling existing structures is the way to go ! That's how my neighbors and family have been doing it for generations. The biggest thing is the quality of the original work, the materials used and how it has been maintained. I think the Marines call this the 'maximum utilization of available resources". Keep up the GREAT work educating the masses !

I love that you want to let your pigs be pigs and live a happy life!❤ your dad would be proud using his building

I'll admit that the answer was right in front of me and never thought about it till you pointed it out. Good luck Pete, I look forward to following your new adventure.

My whole life, I have never had any interest in farming and I came to this channel to from "Diesel Creek" watching machine repair videos. I stared watching your tractor restoration videos, however your sincere and honest approach slowly drew me in, until one day I realized, I know the names of your animals and when you turn a corner I know what to expect because I have a mental map in my head of your farm. I even started discussing how pigs were reared with my Dad, who was raised on a small farm and delights in explaining how he and his family dealt with the same issues and problems you have Thank you so much for expanding my horizons and bringing me closer to my Dad

"Utilize what you have better" is something people don't hear enough of now days

Outstanding logic, Pete. As a recently retired mechanical engineer, it is good to see you engaging in "refinement of design". You start with an idea and think on it long enough, and clarity eventually appears. Your latest plan embraces economy of construction as well as simple practicality. And it also pays tribute to your father's investment in the farm. Can't wait to see your final outcome.

I could feel that ship sinking pretty quickly Pete but you did what I would of done and just repurposed a area I’d already had! Love the thought process really excited for this new opportunity for you guys!!

Sounds like a great plan Pete. Ezra’s gonna love that warm garage.

Always enjoy listening to you, going through your thought process. I believe you are helping more people than you think. Keep your videos going, I enjoy them very much.

The amazing part about this is that you can apply this to nearly EVERYTHING! Society has really moved away from utilizing the resources we have to just getting new stuff... things just get made more cheaply and replaced more often.

Thanks Pete, as a 34 year old and new farming start up with my wife, your outlook and info has been super helpful.

Your sharing of the thoughts and decisions that most people don't get a chance to see, is refreshing and a great way to pass on your experience to others. Keep up to great work. Thank you.

I wanted to thank you for your videos. My husband found you recently and you and your wife have brought great comfort to him which also comforts me. He enjoys watching you both so much. My husband has prostate cancer and it’s kind of rough right now. But you and your videos are great distraction and so much fun. Again thank you. God bless you and your family.

Great plan, build your customer base first, then invest for growth. Looking forward to seeing the changes to the pole barn!

17:57 Ezra has to be one of the most important animals on your farm

Excellent! This is one of your BEST VIDEOS PETE!!! Utilize what you got! Can’t wait to watch the new Pig facility be born!

What a great video to wake up to.

Perhaps your best video so far, such sound advices for the younger gen I am a part of. Can hardly express my gratitude

Pete that is an awesome idea on just converting the old barn into what your needing. When you said $100,000 dollors , I just about had a baby pig myself , LOL.. 🐷 I love your channel Pete.

Hillary needs to be in more videos she's really cool love seeing her

25 years ago, I used to furrow in a 10 sow furring barn on concrete bedded with straw. Clean them every day. If I were to do it again, I would build a raised approximately 6 inch high pen approximately 7' x 7' with a 2 foot aisle around each pin for the manure to escape then you clean the aisle, not the pen. I always enjoyed raising pigs years ago.

So relaxing, watching the cows chew while you are talking. Taking the time to think things through and sleep on it leads to better decisions. Good luck on your new project. Farmers gotta be flexible.

Pete, you do a good job of thinking things through before you act. Many people jump right into things without any plan at all and end up in failure. So this is an excellent video to show potential new small farmers how to develop a good business plan and thinking about how they are going to make a profit.

Super excited about the new plan Pete! Too many farmers end up as financial hostages to the bank for too much building, too much big tractor, etc. WELL DONE! Can't wait to see it underway!!!

Thank you for taking us through the process. Though not a farmer myself, following the thinking is beneficial for other areas of my life.

Used to run a computer business. We came in for another company to help configure a new network of systems for running a third business. The customer expected the new system to run perfectly with all new hardware and software AND networking on day one. It never does. They had sold their old system. Now, I do understand that they did this partly to fund the new stuff, but they found out quickly how bad an idea it was. Have an idea, make a plan, adapt, use old systems in parallel for at least six months, adapt some more. They were not my customer, but we tried to help them and all they did was get angrier and angrier. Having to fix other people's messes taught me lots of valuable lessons I'm glad I didn't have to learn the hard way by making them ourselves.

My favorite video so far. My own tendencies are to get carried away and bite off more than I can manage. Really appreciate your approach and progression through your planning. Excellent tutorial for project planning.

THIS is why I love your channel. Common sense, using what you have- this can be applied to any area of life and it’s how my dad ran our family farm. I am so excited to see this new venture you embark on. I also need to say: I ❤ Ezra! 😊🐈

Hey Pete, just wanted to thank you and Hillary for the videos on your farm life. Our family loves watching you're adventures....and the kids say "we want more piggy videos". Looking forward to more videos... God bless.

A renovation versus a new build , Pete. Good thinking!

I got excited for you while I was watching. I think you are making the right decision. You can do a lot with what you have already at lower cost and smaller footprint than adding another building.

I have a local person who provides me a couple piglets each year. It’s good for him and for me. I like that model. I like your thought process.

17:42 great next venture idea, can’t wait to see it moving along

Listening to you talk through all of the planning got me excited for you guys! Very smart Pete! Thanks for sharing

I see a lot of similarities in the ways you think and run your farm with the way my Grandad did his. He never got filthy rich but he was always the happiest guy around. The respect and the care you give the animals really comes through in your videos as well.

This is what brought me to your channel. I learn a lot about farming and therefore I appreciate the results it delivers to our society. Thanks Pete and Hillary

Yes! Small Farm Sunday episodes are back!!!

Thanks Pete! This video is (in my mind) KEEPING IT REAL! And as Daddy would have said, getting down to the brass tacks (or the facts). I enjoyed hearing the process of determining what is the best solution. Hope this helps others how to figure the solution to what they need.

Ah, great plan!!! Looking forward to reconfiguring and to new adventures!! 🐖🐖🐖💕

More videos on Billy the Boar! Billy is the best. Favorite porker in the USA. Cant wait to see what this lil guy produces in litters in the future.

I’m impressed with how much space you have for those mamas & babies

Pete, you think like I do, because you can dream of getting the best, but realize using what you have will work just as well. As you were going through what you wanted to do, my first thought was the storage barn, where you keep your tractors, and young stock separated. Then when you talked about where you have chosen, it made purest sense, and just an extension of what you have already. Great channel. 😊😊

Sounds like a starting plan using what you already have!!! Looking forward to seeing happen. 👍

As always ...your concentrated thoughts for the best way to do something thete on the farm is appreciated in hearing all about it ! A plethora of decisions to be made and all weighed out in your mind...wow ! Love your figuring $$$ ! I swear Pete those new breed of piglets that you have growning into the cutest, sweetest, most comical pigs I have ever seen. Just love all of their personalities !

Outstanding video! A true Master Class learning experience for all small farmers. Sharing your thought process and explaining all of the costs associated with a new facility vs. re- purposing the pole barn to be more in line with return on investment. Easy to move animals, easy to clean out, more manure input for your fields. A total win for the farm.

Pete, thanks for 'walking' us through your thought process on changing your pig raising operation. Your common sense analysis of the big picture will provide a good outcome for you and Hillary. It will be interesting to follow along as you proceed to make the necessary changes to housing and raising pigs in a profitable manner.

Very sage advice! This is the way we do things too since we never have the capitol to do the big things first. It has generally worked out really well this way.

I love it repurposing for new business idea. I know the businesses I start will have to be repurposing things because of budget/profit. Pig farming business is my biggest area of interest thank you for sharing.

Using existing building is the best solution, as an engineer. Like you can expand the farm efficiently. Great job. 👍

You didn't convert degrees Fahrenheit to kilometers and I had to convert it myself!

Great video! Practical common sense, Missing in a lot of our world these days. Keep up the good work.

I love the idea Pete. Why assume the additional risk when you can put your toe into the water by reconfiguring and utilizing what you all ready own outright. Makes solid business sense. After all, the one principal of business that never expires, is that debt kills when the risk is measured with expectations of optimum sales.

"A trusted source for top quality" is a fantastic quote in your marketing plan.

You’re a wise man Mr.Pete! Given the uncertainties that we’re facing in our country I’d say your decision making process is on point along with all the other reasons you laid out. Good luck to you Sir!

I feel like a board member LOL and I vote yes on this plan. 💚

Hi Pete! Ken here from Nova Scotia. I think your aiming towards the right idea now. Building with what you have already will be cheaper and something that just makes better sense.

I bet whenever Pete turns the camera off, he gets in with the piggies and plays around with them. I know I would! 😁

Thanks for this video. I want to expand my little farm to add some live stock. I've gone over and over, but it's really nice to have your input. You've been there and giving excellent ideas and advice. Thank you.

Wow. I'm not a farmer, but I love watching what you have to say, because it relates to many other things. I'm totally absorbed in watching how you live and plan your operation with common sense and good judgement!

I been thinking this as well! Use what you have is my way. Here is another 💡 . Modify ny turning your cattle feeding fences to go length wise an leave room for the bales to be under the roof. Moving the water back of course. then you open up the entire side for the pig area. Should be just as easy to feed an clean out. move the cattle outside as usual.

As a former architect student and have an Associate degree in architectural engineering from Alfred state. This is my favorite of your vids. But especially because I'm getting Tamworth piglets soon. I been around farms all my life, but that's not same as having a farm. So, I've researching on the barn designs. Thank you, you've help me out and gave me some insights and thoughts on how I want move forward. Thank you.

Excellent case study interview question for a macro consulting firm. Out of the box thinking is always rewarded. Calculating the utilization rate in regards to space vs. amount of work will maximize profits while help plan for the future. Managing expectations and efficiency are the keys to business big or small.

Pete, another really great video!!!

Love your work!! Friends of mine never seam to unerstand why I have so many crazy ideas and they never get off the ground. Your breakdown expalins it so PERFECTLY!

The old adage says it all: "Use what you got and you won't need what you've not"

We just had twin Shetland Sheep and your videos about farm life have helped my husband Scott and I. We also have chickens, ducks and geese. We even have hatched Ameraucana, Lavender Orpington and Black Australorp chicks. Thanks for your videos. Blessings

I just got in from doing morning chores. I sure am excited to watch this one!

Pete, this was one of your best, and most informative videos. Thanks very much. Good luck with converting the pole barn space for your pig brooding. I'm sure it's going to work very well.

I think that is very wise idea Pete! Especially with the volatile markets right now. Thanks for another great video.

I wasn't expecting this ending to the plan. But very smartly and articulately thought out and conveyed. Great advise. thank you.

Pete you always make me think, and I appreciate that. I do miss the "Dad Jokes" though.

You have an incredible gift from God Pete. And you’re using it well! Thanks for sharing it all with us. Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦

Can't wait to see the new setup for all the new piggies!!! I wish I lived close to you, I'd love to come by every now and then to help you out, and I would buy a lot of your food from the market. I really appreciate all of your content. It's a real pleasure to watch

Dang! Ur like a highly intelligent Mr Rogers of thinking on the farm!

Patty is my spirit animal. Give her a good ear rub for me!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and bringing us along with the planning. I'm look forwards to all the fun videos that may be involved.

I always enjoy watching your videos, I very much appreciate your pride in "the standard of product" kind of marketing and I am looking to emulate a similar small farm. You always walk us through your thoughts it helps us and I'd imagine it allows you to really proof read your projects when you edit the video very cool system!

Enjoyed watching the piglets playing behind you while you talked.

I was ag lender for many years. I told farmers the easiest money to pay back was the money you didn’t need to borrow. The surviving cattle feeders in my area were known for minimal investment in facilities. Hogs were a different story in our extreme cold winter environment, but again costly facilities often did not bring the hoped for results. Costly facilities require a change in management intensity, which some could handle, but some could not.

JayJay is just such a character. He acts like he's happy all the time. He and Bossy Pig make a cute couple actually. Billy is certainly coming along. I do hope you keep JayJay and Bossy Pig for a while...I really can't wait to see their piglets.

Good morning Pete You could buy second hand shipping containers to store your stuff in… keep what you need and recycle the rest ….. instant storage at a set price Good luck with the barn conversion… hopefully all on film Jennifer & Ian xx🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Someone should give you a mini sculpture of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker". Very well thought through process and i think Hillary and you reached a good result.

When putting in a cement slap maybe think about laying in pex pipe for future heating the slab. Heating with pen in slab only requires a water heater and small pump. Pex in slab is very cheap to install. Once installed it’s permanent and can be used for so many things. GOOD LUCK GUYS ‼️🐐🐷🐂 Vinny 🇺🇸

One of your best videos. I was waiting to hear what you were going to do about a new pig facility. You didn't disappoint.

Pete, Thank you very much for providing the detailed information about starting a Feeder Pig operation. It is AMAZING videos like this that make me watch your channel ever chance I get. For my farm journey; it was the best video you have done!!!!!! Thanks again.

I love that you figured out this practical first step in the new venture. Your videos are such a pleasure…thank you!

Good morning Pete! I hope you and your family, have a great day. I am so excited, to see the construction, of the new pig facility. You are one, smart cookie. I love your idea, of utilizing, the space you have. Good luck with this endeavor. I hope you get started asap. I’m looking forward to more of your great videos. 👍

Long ago I had friend who was a welder. He had a truck with a welding machine and worked contract. One day he decided he wanted to be bigger. He bought a used shop that required moving. He got land and moved the shop. 10 years later he was making a good profit building welded structures. He now has two design engineers, a good client base and 150 employees. He is now old and can not weld. One needs to plan for the time they stop working. You either save for end of work or create a business that does well without your labor. Hope it all works out and your expansion works as you vision.

Pete sounds like you got it all figured out brother

Pete, I was thinking the same thing about not saddling yourself with a 100k debt for a new barn. My thought was to repurpose your machinery/ hay storage barn and move all the items to a hoop house. Acknowledge your point regarding the lifespan of the “tarp”. As a kid we would go to horse cave Kentucky and buy semi loads of $20 feeder pigs. I hated it then, now I have a little farm myself.