Location and Scale of Production Th

Location and Scale of Production
The marketing and economics of pork production are complex. Just like a manufacturing business, pig production tends to take place close to the source of its raw products...in this case, feed. Since corn, soybeans, and wheat, which are the main feed ingredients in pig rations, are raised in the Midwestern part of the U. S., it makes economic sense to raise pigs (or any other livestock) in this area.

Cost is a major reason there has been a rapid growth in large-scale pig farms. In general, the larger the pig farm, the lower the cost of producing an individual pig. However, farmers also recognize it is important to limit the number of pigs raised on an individual location due to disease risks.

As a result, producers have turned to multi-site production where different types of operations (i.e. nursery, finishing barn, etc.) will be located on separate sites. For example, in pork production this facilitates manure handling. Manure storage areas are spread out across multiple buildings to limit the time and distance needed to transport and inject the manure to the fields for fertilizer use.

Nutrition Management
Nutrient management is extremely important in growing pigs. Listen as three nutritionists discuss the main feed ingredients and the role that they play in the health of these animals.

Animal Husbandry and Welfare
Veterinarians and farmers work together to determine how to provide the best possible care for their animals. Some of these practices involve developing different housing methods that allow a farmer to efficiently monitor individual pigs.

Other practices have been implemented to protect pigs from infections that can develop when litter mates chew on each other’s tails.
Occupational Health and Safety

As important as it is to take care of these animals, it is just as important to take care of the people who work with them. Working in swine farms can be hazardous and it is pertinent that proper training is provided so workers can be better prepared to protect themselves against injury.

Safe Food
Measures for ensuring a safe food supply start at the farm and are implemented along each step of the production process, including harvest, processing, storage, and distribution.

As consumers, we also play a role in food safety. It is our job to educate ourselves on the proper ways to prepare and cook the food that we eat.