Project Overview
FNC97-172
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1997: $5,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1997
Region: North Central
State: Michigan
Project Coordinator:
Swine Finishing in a Hoop Structure with Deep Bedding
Commodities
- Animals: swine
Practices
- Animal Production: housing, animal protection and health, manure management, watering systems
- Soil Management: composting
Summary:
Initial cost, heating, ventilation and manure disposal in confinement systems make hoop structures an attractive alternative for swine production, especially for young farmers with less capital.
Objectives: To utilize a hoop structure with deep bedding to show young farmers a low-investment, socially acceptable way to compete in the swine industry. The coordinator will erect a 40- by 75-foot hoop sturcture to finish 180 feeder pigs at a time with 2.8 turnovers per year and compare results with a conventional confinement system.
Results: The project was delayed by a construction bottleneck and was extended for one year to gather data.
