James B. Kliebenstein Iowa State University

Publish Date: April 9, 2010

This report is a summary of a larger project that analyzes the economic tradeoff between economic based pig space allocations and those based on growth performance. The most efficient economic allocation of space [1,2] is about six square feet of floor space per pig. Gonyou et al. [3] reported that the minimum space allotment that…

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

There is increasing interest in hog contracting, due in part to the difficulty for many producers to obtain adequate financing. Contracting also is being used to coordinate pork production from genetics and nutrition to the retail meat counter. Currently, a small but growing percentage of hogs are produced, fed, or marketed under contract. It is estimated that about 14-16% are under production contracts, and a smaller percentage under marketing contracts.

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

Pork producers in the United States who are looking for lower cost structures for raising pigs have shown a great deal of interest in hoop structures or hooped shelters as facilities for housing market or finishing pigs. Producers need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of housing. A number of manufacturers offer these units for sale, but little objective data are available to help producers decide if a hoop structure is a good investment. The information in this publication is intended to help producers and designers resolve some of the issues involved in using a hoop structure. The fact sheet discusses some of the management techniques that hoop structures require, and it presents economic factors that can be used to analyze the alternatives.

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

The economics of various methods for housing gestating sow has received very little attention by the pork industry. The most common method for housing gestating sows is indoors in individual stalls. The major reasons for using individual gestation stalls are: (1) a worker can more easily manage a larger number of sows with respect to…