Focus - Hog Operation and Industry Changes

Focus – Hog Operation and Industry Changes

Pork production has changed in this country during the past two decades. Pork continues to be the most widely consumed meat in the world. ¹ The changes David Hofstetter made in 1992 to his Missouri operation mirror the evolving U.S. pork industry.

Historical Changes to U.S. Pork Industry

In the 1980s, plummeting hog prices and the consolidation of meat packers with larger hog producers drove out many smaller independent hog producers. If the pork industry were to survive and to preserve the high quality of meat demanded by the U.S consumer, the industry had to find a method to control both the price and supply of pork. ² One method led to an increase in the number of hog producers who entered into contracts with feed suppliers. This created a “contract-based,” vertically integrated hog production system, similar to that created by the poultry industry more than a decade earlier. ³

Large-scale industrial changes like this used to take decades before a significant impact could be appreciated. The industrial changes made in hog production accelerated that impact. To illustrate, in 1990, 50% of Missouri’s swine industry was involved in hog operations with less than 500 head. Today, that number has fallen to less than 10%. ²

In addition to production contracts, hog producers have increased litter sizes, rates of animal growth, and switched to raising larger animals, all to satisfy industrial demands. These industry changes have led to three basic production systems: farrow-to-finish, farrow-to-feeder (sometimes called farrow-to-wean), and feeder-to-finish. ⁵

Types of Production Systems

Farrow-to-finish operators handle the pigs from birth to market, including breeding and farrowing the sows, as well as raising the pigs to a market weight of approximately 240 pounds. 5 The entire cycle of breeding, gestation, and raising piglets to market weight generally averages around ten to eleven months. Thus, the farrow-to-finish operator can be more susceptible to price fluctuations in the hog market. ⁵ Farrow-to-finish farms require the largest capital investment.

A farrow-to-feeder (farrow-to-wean) farm raises the piglets to a weaning age, usually fifteen to seventeen days of age. The piglets are sold to a feeder-to-finish operation. This production system requires facilities for breeding, gestation, farrowing and, commonly, raising replacement gilts.

Feeder-to-finish operations get the piglets at weaning age and raise them until the pigs reach market weight. This production system has the least varied types of facilities. Considering the feed consumption needed to finish hogs, feeding systems and waste management require greater consideration. ⁵

Each of these production systems has different requirements for facilities based on the animal’s age for feeding, waste removal, and health requirements. Facilities are a major investment so space needs to be well planned for optimum use. The MidWest Plan Service (e.g., Swine Breeding and Gestation Facilities Handbook, Swine Housing and Equipment Handbook, etc.) is a useful resource for farmers making these types of changes. ⁶

Facility Design and Barriers

For producers who can make the capital investment to modernize their facilities, both careful thought and long-term planning are critical. Production factors and business goals must be considered. Facilities design can present numerous barriers to individuals with limited mobility or other disabling conditions.

Animal behavior also influences the design of hog facilities. Because hogs are not easy animals to move, alleys are commonly twenty four inches in width to restrict or direct movement. ⁶ This is a narrow space to move through with a walker or a power scooter. Floor surfaces can affect mobility as well. Types of floor surfaces depend on factors such as animal waste, sanitizing requirements, water consumption, and feeding systems. For the individual working in these facilities, this means the floor surfaces could be slippery, bedded or grated, potentially creating additional mobility barriers. Height of the feeder or waterer will depend on the animal’s size. If mobility or endurance is a concern, automated systems for feed and water would be options to reduce the labor needed to accomplish these tasks.

Regardless of the type of production system, facilities can present numerous barriers for personal mobility and require different types of accommodations. Exploring other structural layouts or equipment to reduce labor for feeding, watering, and waste management should be looked at for long-term needs. Such changes may require a team of experts to consider both the animal and personal requirements.

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Section 1: Client Story Section 2: Focus Section 3: Assistive Technology Notes	Section 4: State Project Feature Section 5: References Section 6: Contacts