Production Systems: Perspective and Components

Some decades ago, “raising pigs” was primarily a subsidiary farm activity that took place in mud lots (Fig. 3.1), with minimal shelter, to utilize garbage and leftover grains to produce meat for the farm family. Pasture production systems (Fig. 3.2) predominated through the 1950s, with more intensive systems starting in the 1960s. From these origins, “pork production” has evolved to be a primary enterprise on many specialized farms to convert processed feedstuffs and breeding stock resources into marketable pork products. This modern production often occurs in insulated, ventilated facilities with automated feed delivery and manure disposal. This requires labor competent to care for the stock and operate the equipment which is supervised by managers (who may be the owners) with considerable expertise. This trend is likely to continue.