Hi folks,
We think that the following conference will be very useful to small and
medium-sized farms and rural communities. As large Confined Feeding
Operations are encountering vigorous opposition by neighbors, we want to
educate about positive steps that farmers can take to be profitable, good
environmental stewards, and an asset to the communities food supply as well
as the state's economy. Please help us reach all who would benefit from this
information by freely copying and distributing this news release. Thanks,
Steve Bonney
sbonney@iquest.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
October 22, 1997 Steve Bonney at (765)463-9366
Opportunities in Alternative Hog Production
A one day conference on Alternative Hog Production Strategies will
be held on December 5, 1997, at Judi's Catering in Lafayette, Indiana, from
9:00 am until 4:30 pm. Sponsors of the program are Sustainable Earth, Inc,
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, and Indiana Sustainable
Agriculture Association.
This is an opportunity for hog producers to become knowledgeable
about production systems that feature low investment and low production
costs. These are high management systems that produce good profits from a
wide range of farm sizes, but are especially suited to small and moderate
sized farms. They also fit well into a crop/livestock operation.
The audience will learn about hooped structures, farrow-to-finish on
pasture, deep-bedded Swedish systems, pasture farrowing, stalk grazing,
grazing of other standing forages, and more. Production systems can combine
one or more of these strategies as the farmer wishes. "This is not farming
like your grandfather did," says conference organizer Steve Bonney of
Sustainable Earth.
New, lower cost technologies combined into a production system make these
systems work."
The conference will also include short presentations about
alternative marketing strategies that include direct marketing to consumers
from the farm and through farmer owned cooperatives like Indiana Family
Farms. These strategies can provide secure markets and increased profits for
small and medium-sized producers.
Participants in the conference will hear from speakers who are
"bullish on hogs" and who will cover the practicalities of alternative
production systems. Two of them, Jim Van Der Pol and Greg Gunthorp are
farmers who have developed profitable production systems that support farm
families and require no hired labor. They will share key information that
makes the production systems work. Mark Honeyman is an Iowa State University
specialist well-known for his broad exposure and experiences with
alternative production systems. He will cover a wide range of issues from
nutrition to economics in alternative production systems.
Van Der Pol's low cost production system features a hoop house, 80
acres of alfalfa-based pasture and animal harvest of crops in the field on a
320 acre crop and livestock farm in Minnesota. This is a home farm that Jim
and LeeAnn have operated since taking over from his parents in 1977. In
1993, the Van Der pol's completed Holistic Management training that has
allowed them to focus on quality of life issues for the farm family, become
good environmental stewards and to ensure the profitability of the farm
without the need of off-farm income.
Today, the diverse farming operation is concentrating on livestock
production. While maintaining herds of sheep and cattle, the Van Der Pols
are focusing on "birth to market" hog production as their 26 year old son,
Josh, and is family are joining the family farming business. Next year the
farm plans to expand to 200 litters annually by adding another hoop house.
"From our perspective, the future, especially the hog business, looks
bright," Jim says emphatically.
Greg Gunthorp is a third generation hog farmer from LaGrange County,
Indiana, who will market 1200 hogs from his 100 acre farm, just 10 miles
from the Michigan state line. With the current market, his profit's have
been nearly $80 per market hog. Although not yet 30 years of age, Gunthorp
has developed a production system that is a pasture-based farrow-to-finish
operation whose only building structures are farrowing huts. He is
constantly improving the forage quality and quanity in his pastures and
improving the genetics of his swine to achieve more grazing efficiency from
his pasture system. Forages include alfalfa, clovers, rape, Puna chicory,
grazing maize and corn. Earlier this year, Tamworth boars were added to the
system because of their suitability to grazing.
Also this year, Gunthorp began to direct market pork to consumers at $2.00
per pound.
Gunthorp is fond of saying, "This pasture system is ideal for
learning, because you can make mistakes and still make good money." A
testiment to that profitability is is that Greg and his wife Lei are raising
two young children without the economic benefits of off-farm employment.
Dr. Mark Honeyman is an associate professor of animal science at
Iowa State University, teaching swine management and animal nutrition. He
also coordinates a state-wide network of eleven research farms. His research
in swine nutrition and production focuses on alternative feeds and
production systems, with a keen interest in the role livestock, particularly
hogs, in sustainable farming systems. Honeyman is a former partner in his
family's farming operation in southwestern Iowa.
Bonney says, "Producers who face uncertain futures in the hog
business should attend this conference. Never will there be a better
opportunity for farmers to learn how to get in or stay in the hog business
and earn good profits."
Attendees must preregister and pay a registration fee of $35.00.
Additional owners or employees from the same farm can register for $15.00
each. Lunch and printed materials will be provided. Register with
Sustainable Earth, Inc., at 100 Georgton Ct., West Lafayette IN 47906. Call
(765) 463-9366 if more information is needed. An agenda, directions to the
conference and lodging information will be sent to registrants.
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