This study evaluates the economic competitiveness of a sample of Kansas farrow-to-finish
operations by estimating relative firm efficiency using nonparametric mathematical programming
techniques. Measures of technical, allocative, scale, economic, and overall efficiency
are then related to farm characteristics to identify sources of efficiency. Results
indicate that overall efficient farms produce a high quantity of pork per litter, produce a
portion of their own feed grains, generate a large portion of their income from swine and
other livestock enterprises, and have a lower debt-to-asset ratio.