Re: Best Practices for Raising Hogs?

Greg & Lei Gunthorp (hey4hogs@kuntrynet.com)
Tue, 4 May 1999 17:33:19 -0500

The problem, as I see it, with alternative, sustainable, and organic
production practices is those that adapt them still have the baggage (debt
from iron and concrete, etc.) from the previous operation. A couple of
examples come to mind. A confinement dairy that wants to try Management
Intensive Grazing (MIG) still has the blue monuments, all the tractors, the
equipment, the barns, and all the associated debt. A confinement hog
operation is identical. If they want to raise hogs on pasture what do they
do with the buildings and all the debt from the buildings? Single use
facilities are worthless without animals in them. Unless the person is
financially solvent and motivated the change is almost impossible without
adding a grazing operation to the current buildings. And that doesn't
really address the odor problems at least short term!

The reality is "we" (don't count me in that we!) have created a extremely
capital intensive, industrialised agriculture that is as addictive as the
worst drugs on the planet. There isn't a good way off the treadmill that I
see. A lot of these operations have hundreds of thousands, if not
millions, invested in facilities and equipment that can not be sold. Low
input operations by their very nature generally do not work well with high
debt loads. Especially when that debt isn't even from the existing
operation.

Good luck. Sorry I don't have any answers.
Best Wishes,
Greg Gunthorp
Visit our farm at www.grassfarmer.com
PS Now offering free range, chemical free hog roasting in the IN, MI, OH,
and Chicago land area! (Yes we talked the county health department into a
permit. What an experience!!!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Marian Buckner <MEBUCKNER@wvwise.org>
To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu <sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
Date: Tuesday, May 04, 1999 11:27 AM
Subject: Best Practices for Raising Hogs?

>
> I do hope some of you can help with this request. Someone I know asked
>me for information on alternative mid-sized hog farm operations (large
>family farm, not factory farm size). She wants to know:
> (1) What are good methods for proper treatment of waste to curb
>pollution and stench?
> (2) How can one provide humane living conditions for the animals?
>
> She is hopeful that the neighboring hog farmer, who has formerly been a
>good neighbor, will be open to good information. His hog operation is
>unusually odorous, and his waste treatment leaves much to be desired. We
>do not think he would consider pastured pork production.
>
> Thanks for any help. Marian Buckner
>
>
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