Economics and Profitability

• Comparison of Alternative Winter Farrowing Techniques on Four Niman Ranch Cooperating Farms in Southern Minnesota, Iowa State University, 2006 - Research was conducted during two winters, 2002 and 2003, at four farms that sell to Niman Ranch Pork Company.
• Cost of Pork Production with Nonsubtherapeutic Use of Antibiotics, Iowa State University, 2003 - This report says production costs increase when pigs are not given subtherapeutic antibiotics. The study was conducted using an outdoor production system.
• Designing Feeding Programs for Natural & Organic Pork Production, University of Minnesota - This guide focuses on nutrition and management requirements for organic pork production. Much of its content can be applied to production systems for natural pork.
• An Economic Analysis of Pork Production in Hoop and Confinement Facilities: A Summer Comparison, Iowa State University - This research study compared the profit potential between two types of pork grow-finish production facilities, hoop and total confinement, during summer months in Iowa.
• An Economic Analysis of Pork Production in Hoop and Confinement Facilities: A Winter Comparison, Iowa State University - This research study compared the profit potential between two types of pork grow-finish production facilities, hoop and total confinement, during winter months in Iowa.
• An Economic Analysis of Swine Rearing Systems for North Dakota, Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, 2001 - In this study, growth performance and carcass characteristics for growing-finishing pigs were researched using three types of facilities: outdoor pens, hoop buildings and conventional confinement facilities.
• Economics of Breeding, Gestating and Farrowing Hogs in “Natural Pork” Production: Financial Comparison, Iowa State University, 2006 - This report provides a budget estimate for producing weaner pigs in a natural, Niman Ranch style operation.
• Economics of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures and Confinement: a Summer Group, Iowa State University - This research report was part of an ongoing study looking at the profitability and risk for hoop and confinement production facilities for finishing pigs during summer months.
• Economics of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures and Confinement: a Winter Group, Iowa State University - This research report was part of an ongoing study looking at the profitability and risk for hoop and confinement production facilities for finishing pigs during winter months.
• Efficiency of Niche Pork Production in 2007, Iowa State University, 2010 - Information from 27 niche pork producers was analyzed for production cost and efficiency. Pigs from these farrow-to-finish farms were typically "natural," meaning they were raised without antibiotics using bedded pens with outdoor access.
• Efficiency of Niche Pork Production in 2008, Iowa State University, 2010 - Information from 18 niche pork producers was analyzed for production cost and efficiency. Pigs from these farrow-to-finish farms were typically "natural," meaning they were raised without antibiotics using bedded pens with outdoor access.
• Returns and Costs of Niche Pork Production in 2007, Iowa State University, 2010 - Information from 27 niche pork producers was analyzed for return, cost and financial efficiency. Pigs from these farrow-to-finish farms were typically "natural," meaning they were raised without antibiotics using bedded pens with outdoor access.
• Returns and Costs of Niche Pork Production in 2008, Iowa State University, 2010 - Information from 18 niche pork producers was analyzed for return, cost and financial efficiency. Pigs from these farrow-to-finish farms were typically "natural," meaning they were raised without antibiotics using bedded pens with outdoor access.

Growth Performance

• Effect of Housing System and Physical Environment on Post-Weaning Pig Performance,  Iowa State University - This research study was conducted to document the physical environment and growth performance of nursery pigs in hoop structures compared with pigs reared in confinement nurseries. 
• Effects of Bedding on Pig Performance & Feed Digestibility: Progress Report, Iowa State University, 2011 - As omnivores, pigs ingest some bedding. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of bedding on finishing pigs in bedded hoop barns.
• The Effect of Space Allocation in Hoop Structures on Swine Performance and Pork Quality, Iowa State University, 2006 - This study found a stocking density ranging from 7.5 sq. ft./pig to 12.0 sq. ft./pig does not influence swine growth performance or pork quality.
• Evaluating Growth, Loin Muscle Area, and Backfat Accretion During Summer and Winter for Finishing Pigs in Bedded Hoop and Confinement Buildings, Iowa State University, 2006 - This study evaluated differences in accretion rates for bodyweight, backfat and loin muscle area that occurred during the finishing period.
• Feeding DDGS to Finishing Pigs in Deep-Bedded Hoop Barns, Iowa State University, 2008 - This study evaluated pelleted DDGS-based diets fed to finishing pigs.
• Growth Performance & Carcass Quality of Pigs Housed in Hoop Barns Fed Diets Containing Alternative Ingredients, University of Minnesota.
• Maximizing DDGS for Finishing Pigs in Bedded Hoop Barns, Iowa State University, 2010 - The objective was to evaluate various programs to maximize DDGS feeding to finishing pigs in bedded hoop barns.
• Oat Based Diets for Market Pigs in Deep-bedded Hoop Barns, Iowa State University, 2003 - The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oats in diets on the performance of finishing pigs in deep-bedded hoop barns.
• Okara: A Possible High Protein Feedstuff for Organic Pig Diets, Iowa State University, 2004 - Okara, a byproduct of ground soybeans used for the production of soy milk and tofu, was tested as a potential organic protein source.
• Performance of Barrows and Gilts in Hoop Structures and Confinement During Winter and Summer, Iowa State University - The objectives of this study were to document the performance of barrows and gilts fed in hoops during the summer and winter, and to evaluate barrow and gilt performance in hoops compared with barrows and gilts in a confinement housing system.
• Performance of Pigs in a Swedish Bedded Group Lactation and Nursery System, Iowa State University - This study demonstrated the use and pig performance using a Swedish deep-bedded group housing system for pregnant, farrowing and nursing sows and their litters.
• Sow and Litter Performance for Two Genotypes in Crated and Group Gestation Systems, Iowa State University - This study compared the sow and litter performance for two sow genotypes housed in crated and group-housed gestation systems for two parities.
• Three-Year Summary of Performance of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures and Confinement During Winter and Summer, Iowa State University - The objectives of this study were to document the performance of finishing pigs in hoops during the summer and winter, and to evaluate pig performance in hoops compared with pigs in a confinement housing system.
• Triticale Fed to Finishing Pigs in Hoop Barns, Iowa State University, 2007 - This study evaluated the feed efficiency of 40 percent and 80 percent triticale diets.
• Two-Year Summary of the Performance of Finishing Pigs and Hoop Structures and Confinement During Winter and Summer, Iowa State University - The objectives of this study were to document the performance of finishing pigs in hoops during the summer and winter, and to evaluate pig performance in hoops compared with pigs in a confinement housing system.

Hoop Systems, Environment and Welfare Issues

• Alternative Winter Farrowing Demonstration Project: A Progress Report, Iowa State University, 2004 - Alternative farrowing systems for use during cold weather were tested.
• A Comparison of Alternative Winter Farrowing Systems, Iowa State University, 2008 - Swing-style farrowing pens were compared to modified A-frame huts placed in a pole barn.
• Do Gilts Adapt to a Confined Farrowing Stall After Being Housed in a Loose Deep-Bedded Gestation Environment? Iowa State University, 2010 - This study compared gilt behavior and performance in a deep bedded gestation hoop environment to a more confined farrowing/lactation environment.
• The Economics of Finishing Hogs in Hoop Structures and Confinement: Financial Comparison, Iowa State University, 2004 - This research document evaluates financial measurements for hogs fed during the winter and hogs fed during the summer using hoop and total confinement systems.
• Economics of Finishing Hogs in Hoop Structures and Confinement: Seasonal and Annual Comparison, Iowa State University, 2003 - This project compares hoop facilities to confinement facilities and evaluates alternative management practices used in hoop production on groups of hogs finished from June 1998 to February 2001.
• Economics of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures and Confinement: A Summer Group under Different Space Restrictions, Iowa State University, 2003 - This study compared grow-finish pigs in hoop and total confinement production facilities.
• Effects of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures on Swine Performance, Pork Composition and Pork Quality, Iowa State University, 2006 - This study found the finishing environment did not affect pork quality.
• E-HUT Farrowing Plans - Northeast Iowa farmer Tom Frantzen, a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, uses traditional farrowing practices. This site shows his design of a wooden farrowing hut.
• Fecal Fiber Content of Finishing Pigs in Hoop Structures and Confinement, Iowa State University - The objective of this research study was to determine whether the pigs housed in hoop structures consume the cornstalks that are used for bedding.
• Hogs Your Way. Choosing a Hog Production System in the Upper Midwest, University of Minnesota, 2001 - This link provides information on Swedish deep-straw, hoop, pasture and confinement production systems.
• Hoop Structures, Iowa State University - This site provides information on pig performance, economics, manure management and animal environment related to the use of hoop structures.
• Iowa Hoop Structures Used for Swine: A Survey, Iowa State University - The objective of this research study was to determine an estimate of the number of hoops used for swine production in Iowa and how many producers have swine hoops.
• Internal Parasites of Pigs Housed in a Hoop Structure and Confinement, Iowa State University - The objective of this research study was to determine the infestation levels of large roundworms in pigs in confinement and hoop structures.
• Modifying an Outdoor Farrowing Hut for Alternative Indoor Farrowing During Summer and Winter, Iowa State University, 2009 - The objective of this study was to modify an outdoor farrowing hut for winter and summer farrowing indoors.
• On-farm Examples of Alternative Winter Farrowing Systems, Iowa State University, 2004 - Three systems are reviewed as alternatives for farrowing pigs in the winter for the natural pork market.
• Optimizing Energy Use in Pig Production: An Examination of Iowa Systems, Iowa State University, 2010 - This project estimates non-solar energy use for pig production using confinement facilities and hoop barns.
• Outdoor Pig Production: An Approach that Works, Iowa State University - This study outlines the management strategies, economics and pros and cons to outdoor pig production.
• Pig Mortality in an Outdoor Farrowing Hut: What Behaviors Contribute to their Demise?, Iowa State University, 2008 - The objectives of this study were to determine behavior, postures, locations and vicinity to the sow for each piglet 1 hour prior to piglet death.
• Pig Mortality in an Outdoor Farrowing Hut:  What Contributes to Their Demise Over the First 72 Hours After Parturition?, Iowa State University, 2009 - This study evaluated behavior and posture for piglets during the first 72 hours after parturition.
• Sow and Litter Performance for Individual Crate and Group Hoop Barn Gestation Housing Systems: A Progress Report, Iowa State University, 2003 - This is part of a continuing study comparing the use of individual gestation crates to group pens in deep-bedded hoop buildings. The reproductive performance of 433 litters born between March 2001 through September 2002 was analyzed.
• Sow and Litter Performance for Individual Crate and Group Hoop Barn Gestation Housing Systems: A Progress Report II, Iowa State University, 2004 - This study evaluated the effects of swine gestation housing on sow and litter performance. Two systems were evaluated, one using individual gestation crates in a confinement building and one using a group of pens in deep-bedded hoop structures.
• Sow and Litter Performance for Individual Crate and Group Hoop Barn Gestation Housing Systems: Project Summary, Iowa State University, 2007 - This 2.5-year study evaluated the effects of gestation housing on sow and litter performance. Two systems were evaluated, one using individual gestation crates in a confinement building and one using a group of pens in deep-bedded hoop structures.
• Welfare, Meat Quality & Performance of Pigs Housed in Large Group, Deep Litter Systems, University of Minnesota.

 Links checked March 2011.