Effects of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures on Swine Performance, Pork Composition, and Pork Quality

Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 2006. This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which finishing pigs in deep bedded hoop structures affects swine performance, pork composition and pork quality. Pigs finished in Hoop barns pigs gained significantly less per day and required significantly more feed for lean growth than pigs finished in confinement. Carcasses from confinement pigs had lower calculated percent fat free lean than carcasses from hoop finished pigs. Finishing environment did not affect pork quality.