“My father gave me the opportunity to come back and farm with him, and then passed it on to me. I want to give my sons the same chance and keep our farm going for generations to come.”
— Carl Clark, 3rd Generation Vermilion County Farmer and Equity Swine Production Partner
Why Swine Producer Partnerships?
Opportunities
Pork Industry Growth
U.S. pork exports have grown from just over 1 billion lbs in 2000 to nearly 6 billion lbs today. By 2050, global pork demand will require a 50% production increase.
Packer Expansion
Higher pork demand has led to increased demand for packers for processing. U.S. weekly slaughter capacity grew by roughly 600,000 head/week between 2000 and 2019, according to the USDA.
Feed Mill Expansion
The Equity invested in a new feed mill in Horace, IL. This feed mill increased corn demand in east central Illinois by 6-7 million bushels, which accounts for roughly 40,000 acres.
Swine Facilities Expansion
In order to fulfill the tonnage produced by our feed mill, The Equity is targeting the construction of wean-to-finish production facilities. These facilities receive newly weaned piglets, which are then raised to market weight at 6 months of age. Facilities raise two batches of pigs per year. Our livestock production team works with people and pigs to support the families that begin this partnership with us.
Benefits
Consistent Income and Diversification
Building a contract barn provides diversification and steady cash flow to operations during the ups and downs of the agricultural economy. Since growers don’t own the animals or provide the feed, they are not directly exposed to risk related to commodity price fluctuations.
Long Term Equity Growth
By utilizing long-term financing, farmers leverage a smaller down payment into significant long-term equity as debt is retired through monthly contract payments from the integrator.
Depreciation
Accelerated depreciation for the barn often offsets other farm income, resulting in potential tax benefits.
Transition Plan
Building a contract barn can be advantageous as part of a transition plan to move equity or assets to the next generation. There are different approaches to how this can happen, but some simple options include gifting land for the site or pledging collateral for the loan.
Access to Manure
For many row crop farmers, finishing barns provide a steady and historically inexpensive way to access manure for fertilizer.
Swine Producer Partnership Information Request
The Equity actively seeks partnerships with families, farmers and land investors to raise pigs. If you are interested in becoming a Swine Producer Partner with The Equity, please complete this form and the Director of Livestock Contract Development will contact you.
Swine Production Partnerships
Chris Hartke
J & D Farms
Finley Farms
Training in Barns
Hog barns include many facets from daily chores to biosecurity, vaccinations, sorting, treating, marking loads, and manure pumping and agitation. Swine facilities have modernized and include technology to assist in monitoring anything from feed and water consumption to ventilation input and output, and numerous other functions to keep pigs in an ideal environment, out of the weather and away from disease. The Equity Swine Management Team trains producers, from the most seasoned to first-time contract growers, on all aspects of raising hogs.
Photo Courtesy of the National Pork Board Des Moines, Iowa USA.
PQA Plus
Photo Courtesy of the National Pork Board Des Moines, Iowa USA.
Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) provides a framework for significant, relevant food safety standards and improved animal well-being. The industry’s leading certification program, Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®), was originally established to promote uniform food safety practices on farms throughout the country. Scientists, veterinarians and animal agriculture experts helped craft the program and continue to update it regularly at the request of the National Pork Board. Today, PQA Plus brings the latest knowledge and science on food safety and animal well-being issues into the farm setting. All of The Equity Swine Management employees are PQA Plus certified.
Safety
Image Courtesy of National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa
WARN for Safety
It’s that time again, the time of year for applying manure to row crops. Manure has proven qualities that make it a great source of fertilizer, though to apply it to your field takes preparation. Safety should always be your first concern. There is much to be said about finding the right safety-minded person to perform this task. The primary goal must be protection of human safety and animal well-being during manure pumping and agitation activities.
| W | Weight | pigs should weigh no less than 50 lbs |
| A | Air | a minimum of 2 feet of air space between the slats and the pit liquid level and vent ceiling inlets |
| R | Remember to: | turn on the lights and pit fans, turn off the heaters then walk around to ensure all fans are running |
| N | Notification | Walk the entire barn to ensure all people are out, lock the entry door and place a DO NOT ENTER sign on all access points. |
Safe Pig Care & Handling Resources
Today’s pig farms combine the best traditional farming practices with the benefits of modern technology and sustainability practices. Safe food begins with healthy, safe animals and the best possible care.
These training resources for producers and their employees, developed in line with the We Care Ethical Principles, focus on how pigs perceive and react to the world and how to become a more effective handler.
Image Courtesy of National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa
