Final Report for FNC96-158

“I understand the value of diversity in a farming operation and know that livestock are a key part of that diversity. I like to raise hogs but am concerned that the current market will soon be gone, or will be less than desirable. I could do as others are doing and invest in state-of-the-art confinement facilities, but I am concerned about the long-term economic viability of these operations. I have decided that alternative methods have great potential and only need some willing entrepreneurs to refine them to the Upper Midwest. This could help many people.”

Objectives: To establish a more sustainable swine production system that will provide economic viability as well as improve the environment and potential health of pigs. To provide the opportunity to explore the marketing of meat as a specialty product. Funds will be used to help farrow sows in group housing and utilize a deep-bedded sytem. The project coordinator will convert existing land to pasture.

Results: After visiting Sweden last winter to study various deep-bedding production systems, the project coodinator began construction on a new facility. However, the project has been delayed by storm damage to the farmstead. The project was extended for one year to allow completion of the structure and data collection.