Technology

                                                                                      Technology has played a leading role in the progression of
               raising pigs on modern family farms. Advances in 
               technology allow one farmer to care for more hogs more
               efficiently than was previously possible, which helps lower 
               overall production costs. The more comfortable a pig is, the 
               better it grows. Living indoors in confinement barns allows the 
               pigs to be protected from extreme weather, predators and
               disease. Pigs never go hungry with automated feeders that
               refresh their feed 4-6 times a day. Technology allows the 
                                                                                       farmer to better monitor and care for his pigs and notice 
            State of the Art Pig Barns                           more quickly changes in their overall health. 
                                    


                                                                                      The Reason for Confinement Farming

               Ohio pork producers are commited to bringing you the 
               best possible pork product and that starts with how their pigs 
               are raised. Farmers are raising more pigs in one 
               location in order to meet consumer demands for pork while 
               still keeping their production costs low. They are able 
               to better care for their pigs and make sure each is getting the
               nutritious diet it needs to provide the juicy, flavorful and
               healthy meal consumers desire.

             Pork Demands Respect


                                                                                       Farming as a Career
   
                                                                                       Being a farmer is more than just a full time job - pig farmers 
               work nights, weekends, holidays and 365 days a year. Their 
               day starts early in the morning and lasts as long as is 
               needed to get the day's work done. With hours like these, 
               coming back to the family farm is not always a farmer's first 
               choice. Many, like Kyle, pursue other careers or go to college 
               before returning to the farm, but don't think farming was a 
               last option. He returned to the farm because He realized 
               it's what he loves. Kyle and the rest of Ohio's pig farmers
                                                                                      are committed to their animals and their way of life.
                 My Life on the Farm


                                                                                      Care of Baby Piglets

                                                                                      Day one is the most critical for a baby pig, which must be dry, 
               warm and nursed. Everything about the farrowing, or birthing, 
               rooms is designed to give the piglets the best possible 
               chances of survival. The sows are kept in farrowing stalls (also
               called farrowing crates) to prevent them from lying on their
               babies, and heating pads and heat lamps provide a warmer 
               temperature for the piglets while the barn is cooler for the 
               mother pig. Although this may sound like a "factory farm"
               it certainly is not - all these things help Jackie give her girls and 
                                                                                       their babies the special attention they deserve. 
               Caring from Day One


                                                                                      Changes in Farming

               Today's farms are very different from the farm your grandpa 
               may have had. These new farms aren't factories, but 
               technology does help to provide a better living environment for
               the pigs. Barns protect the pigs from wild animals while stalls 
               and crates protect them from each other and help stop the
               spread of disease. Many farmers also further their education in
               order to provide more specialized care to their animals. The
               one thing that hasn't changed from pig farms of the past? All are
                                                                                      family owned and many have been that way for generations.
         Not Your Grandpa's Pig Farm


                                                                                       Reasons for Changes in Farming

               Many family farmers have traded their green fields and big, 
               red barns for big, white confinement barns that allow fewer 
               farmers to raise more pigs to feed the world. These new barns 
               provide a climate controlled envrionment that helps 
               protect pigs and allow farmers to provide the proper care 
               pigs need with fewer employees. The pig itself has also 
               changed, trading its fat for a slimmer physique that allows for 
               healthier pork for consumers.

    Raising Pigs Yesterday and Today


                                                                                       Teamwork

               Today's farmers provide their pigs with the best possible care 
               with the help of technology and farm specialization, where 
               each farm focuses on one area of the pig's growth cycle. This 
               allows farmers to know as much as they can about their 
               specific area without worrying about the rest of the 
               growing process. On some farms, everyone must shower 
               before they go in and out of the barn. This biosecurity 
               measure helps keep the pigs disease free and healthy. 

      Caring for Pigs is a Team Effort



               Sharing the News About Pork

               Lauren, the 2008 Ohio Pork Industry Queen, is always happy 
               to share her experiences about life in rural Ohio. Learn about 
               how Lauren and her family care for the pigs on their farm 
               and what she is doing to promote the pork industry.  



               Pig Pens and Tiaras



                A Pig's Diet

               Things have changed since the days when farmers fed their 
               pigs a slop made from leftover table scraps. Today's feed is a
               specially formulated mix of soybeans, corn and minerals to 
               meet the nutritional needs of their pigs. Watch Connie's video 
               to learn just how much thought goes into a growing pig's diet.


                     What Pigs Eat



                                                                                       Manure Management

               Ohio's pig farmers are very passionate about doing all they can 
               to protect the environment by properly managing natural 
               resources. It's no secret that with pigs comes manure, and 
               that's why farmers use the manure produced by their pigs as 
               part of a natural cycle. The manure from pigs is used as food 
               for growing crops, which are in turn used in feed for pigs. 
               Farmers are very careful to handle manure properly so it 
                                                                                      doesn't cantiminate and water sources.
                Gold Under the Barn


                                                                                       Producer Certification

               Dr. Minton works closely with farmers to guarantee the best 
               possible pork product. The pork industry has developed Pork 
               Quaility Assurance Plus program which focuses on 10 Good 
               Production Practices that help ensure the safety of pork for 
               consumers and that animals are treated humanely. It includes 
               an audited on-farm assessment for monitoring the farm to 
               make sure it is in line with the program. PQA Plus is 
               an industry standard that has been adopted by farmers
                                                                                       across the US.
     What it Takes to be a Pig Farmer


                                                                                       Confinement Barns

               Perry may not be building the big, red barn you're used to
               seeing, but it does guarantee the best possible treatment for 
               the pigs living inside. Many factors such as temperature,
               location and climate are considered when a hog barn is built. 
               Today's modern hog barns are technologically advanced in
               order to provide  the best animal care. The controlled
               envrionment ensures that the pigs enjoy optimal temperatures 
               year-round and a fresh supply of food and water throughout 
                                                                                       the day.
          Building a Modern Pig Barn



                                                                                       Care of Mother Sows and Baby Piglets

               Mother sows receive special care to help them give birth to 
               health and growing baby pigs. Farrowing house managers like 
               Kristen make sure sows get plenty of feed and water so 
               they can produce enough for their babies to eat and that 
               all piglets get the chance to nurse and grow. Watch the video 
               to see all the loving attention she provides that could only be 
               found on a family farm. 


                   A Baby Pig Story