Consumer Questions About Pork
Production
Many of the management practices used by today’s pork
producers are designed to protect swine health, improve meat
quality and pork safety and conserve the
environment. For example, during the last 20 years,
most producers began raising pigs inside barns to better
manage the animals’ environment and health on a daily basis.
The pork industry’s overall structure also has
changed. A single producer who used to raise pigs from
conception to market (farrow-to-finish) may be more
specialized, raising pigs from weaning to their market
weight and cooperating with other producers who farrow the
pigs. Increased domestic and international competition in
the pork industry requires today’s producers to be
progressive, to adapt to change and to continue their
education.
The Environmental Assurance Program™ (EAP) was
the first environmental education program established
for pork producers based upon producer commitment to
environmental protection. EAP has been recognized by many
states as a model environment education program from which
producers now continually gain knowledge on environmental
management practices. |
Production Practices and Manure Management
Why is manure applied to land?
Using manure as a fertilizer is a practice as old as
agriculture itself. Application of manure to cropland is
both a less expensive option for the producer and a
benefit to crops and soil. Every living thing needs
nutrients to grow. Plants require nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium and 10 other chemical elements. Most of
these nutrients enter the plants through soil. Application
of manure, which contains nutrients including nitrogen and
phosphorus, is an important
part in completing the natural nutrient cycle of
agriculture. |
