1. Hog Confinement Controversy
Let's Weigh In
By: Brandon Vogt

2. The Driving Forces of Change
Economics
Huge variation in costs
Purchasing pigs on open market
Price of corn/feed
Market price at packing plant
New Concepts/Technology
All In/All Out, Split Sex or Phase Feeding
Controlled Climate
Liquid manure = Fertilizer = Liquid Gold

3. The Driving Forces of Change
Marketing Agreements/Contract Production
Stable supply of consistent quality hogs
Standardized nutrition
Standardized health programs
Streamlined transportation
Management resources
Set income
Integrator assessed gains or losses

4. The Driving Forces of Change
Values of Society
Demand for more sustainable environmental system from animal agriculture
Consumer Demands
Customers want a more consistent, top quality end-product that is competitively priced

5. Effects of Change
Pork packers now control over 50% of the total industry marketing contract volume.
Smithfield Foods is the largest pork packer
Smaller producers leaving the industry
1980 – 670,000 farms produced hogs
1994 – 236,000 farms produced hogs

6. Effects of Change
Expansion & Industrialization led to Hog Confinements/Factory Farms
Change in Community & Neighbor perception
Loss of trust/accountability
Concerns over potential health impacts
Water Quality – surface and groundwater contamination
Complaints regarding odor
Anticipation of lower property values

7. Effects of Change Increased County revenue New job opportunities
High capital investment – high property tax
Expanded customer base – increased sales tax revenues
New job opportunities
Stricter rules and regulations

8. Balancing Act – Finding the Ecotone
Begin with the End in Mind
Quality of Life has different meanings to different people
Neighbors have the right to outdoor activities without dealing with offensive odors
Producers have the right to grow their operations in order to sustain their livelihood

9. Balancing Act – Finding the Ecotone
Begin with the End in Mind
Consult professionals – design new facilities based on engineers recommendations
Increased separation distances – respect the residential neighborhood
Communication – Attend community events, planning and zoning commission meetings, County supervisor meetings

10. Balancing Act – Finding the Ecotone
Begin with the End in Mind
Improved Technology
Biocover/Biofilter – reduce odor and emisions
Manure Injection – reduce run-off and odor
Nutrient Management Plans
Phosphorus Index
Assesses potential for Phosphorus run-off
Reduces soil erosion

11. Voices of Change Listen to the Voices! Society Demands Attention
Asking for safe, clean water supply
Asking for safe, clean air supply
Consumers Demand Attention
Asking for top-quality pork products at competitive prices
Asking for safe food supply

12. Voices of Change Listen to the Voices!
Agriculture is answering the call
Following Best Management Practices
Following DNR approved NMP’s (P-Index)
Injecting manure
Soil sampling
Reduced tillage
Following DNR rules for mortality handling (24 hrs)
Implementing odor control methods

13. Voices of Change Listen to the Voices!
Agriculture is answering the call
Attending training programs
Pork Quality Assurance Plus
Transport Quality Assurance
Certified Manure Applicator Training
Animal Welfare Training
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) training for packers/employees

14. Summary Voices to be heard involve 3 very different pitches
Proponents of Ag/Animal Production
Opponents of Ag/Animal Production
Customers/Consumers
If emotion is removed the goal becomes clear for all

15. Summary Common Goal/Mission Statement:
To produce a safe, consistent, top quality pork product at competitive prices that can be added to the choices for our global food supply. This goal will be achieved by ethical, humane treatment of animals and laborers and will be accomplished through the use of new technologies and improved techniques that will have little or no significant impacts on our environment or quality of life.

16. Summary Change is Inevitable – (No one said it would be easy!)
Communication is KEY
Think Proactive, not Reactive
Coexistence of diverse groups likely means compromise on all sides – (Compromise is not a bad thing!)

17. Questions - ??? Thank you.

18. Works Cited
Durrenberger, E. Paul and Thu, Kendall M. “The Expansion of Large Scale Hog
Farming in Iowa: The Applicability of Goldschmidt’s Findings Fifty Years Later.” Human Organization 55.4 (1996): Web. 15 Sept. 2011
Hayenga, M., J. Lawrence, and T. Schroeder. "Churning out the links: vertical integration in the beef and pork industries." Choices (Ames, Iowa) Choices : the magazine of food, farm and resource issues 16.4 (2001): Agricola. EBSCO. Web. 15 Sept
Hogberg, M. G., S. L. Fales, F. L. Kirschenmann, M. S. Honeyman, J. A. Miranowski, and P. Lasley. "Interrelationships of Animal Agriculture, the Environment, and Rural Communities." Journal of Animal Science. Web. 15 Sept
Hurt, C. "Industrialization in the pork industry." Choices (Ames, Iowa) Choices : the magazine of food, farm and resource issues 9.4 (1994): Agricola. EBSCO. Web. 13 Sept
Tonsor, Glynn “Economic Impacts of Hog Operations.” Animal Agriculture and the Environment: Web. 19 Sept. 2011