Background

Many pork producers today are concerned about the high cost of investment in confinement facilities, uncertainty about risks to air and water quality associated with liquid manure, odor, animal welfare issues, and other concerns related to conventional confinement-based pork production. In response to these concerns a number of producers have begun to develop alternative pork production systems which incorporate a low degree of capital investment, solid manure handling systems, extensive housing, and niche marketing of pork products. The Alternative Swine Production Systems Program was created to assist these producers as they seek alternatives to confinement pork production. It began in July 1997 with funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Alternative Swine Production Systems Program is to promote the research and development of low-emission and low-energy swine housing such as hoop structures, deep-bedded systems, and outdoor/pasture based systems. The Alternative Swine Production Systems Program seeks to develop relationships among farmers, researchers, and educators to research and promote alternative swine systems that are profitable, environmentally friendly, and help support rural communities in Minnesota.

Goals of the Program Include:

1. Compiling and developing information on alternative swine systems to meet the needs of farmers
2. Developing a financial analysis of alternative swine production systems using a case study approach and working with the Farm Business Management Program
3. Identifying marketing options for pork produced in alternative systems
4. Creating linkages between researchers and farmers to conduct research on alternative swine systems both on farms and at the West Central Research and Outreach Center
5. Planning and implementing educational programs on alternative swine systems such as field days and workshops
6. Maintaining a database of individuals around the state who are interested in alternative swine production
7. Identifying future research needs and future sources of funding for alternative swine systems in Minnesota

People

The Program is advised by a Task Force whose members include farmers, University faculty, and others connected to the pork industry. The Task Force develops plans for action and guides the Program Coordinator in carrying out those plans. It is convened by the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, the Swine Center at the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The Task Force is coordinated by the Alternative Swine Program Director, Wayne Martin. Wayne is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator.

Projects

A survey was conducted during the winter of 1998-99 with 50 Minnesota hog producers who were either using or were interested in alternative production systems. It collected information about alternative production systems currently in use, the challenges facing producers using these systems, and obstacles for those considering adopting them. The results of the survey have been used to help develop research and educational programming at the University. The full results are available in Alternative Swine Production in Minnesota: Survey Results 1999.

In 1999 the Alternative Swine Task Force, with help from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Pork Producers Association (MPPA), published Swine Sourcebook: Alternatives for Pork Producers. It is a compilation of research and demonstration articles written about the use of hoop structures, pasture farrowing and finishing, and the Swedish-style deep-bedded system. The Sourcebook is out of print, but can be viewed in the MISA office, 413 Hayes Hall on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota.

Hogs Your Way

The successor to the Swine Sourcebook is Hogs Your Way, a MISA publication that is available online: http://www.misa.umn.edu/Hogs_Your_Way.html

Staff and Facilities at the West Central Research and Outreach Center

Core staff and facilities for alternative swine research at the West Central Research and Outreach Center have been developed. A Swine Systems Specialist has been hired to direct swine research and outreach on low-input systems. Alternative swine housing facilities have been built at the West Central Research and Outreach Center for research into all phases of swine production in these systems. An Agricultural Sociologist was hired to study the impact of changes in animal agriculture on rural communities in Minnesota.

Development of new markets is essential for the long-term success of anyone who is considering hog farming as a main source of income. As farmers learn to think of themselves as businesspersons and entrepreneurs, they will also realize how important it is to have some control over the prices they receive for their products. They can best do this by developing relationships with buyers who are outside the traditional meat-packing industry. The Alternative Swine Production Systems Program is committed to helping farmers establish avenues different than those currently available for marketing their pigs.

This is also an area that will be explored by this program, to help farmers produce pigs that are low-cost and raised in an environmentally friendly manner. This will include information on organic hog production, and also use of appropriate waste byproducts from various human food products industries.