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Learn the Basics of Hog Farming
America is the second largest producer, consumer, exporter, and importer of pork products. Hog farming produces about a quarter of the nation’s consumption of meat. Imports from hog farming account for around 5 percent of the domestic consumption.
The Corn Belt area of the nation, which is in the Midwest, is where most of the hog farms, in the United States, are. In the hog farms across the nation there are around 60 million swine and around 68 percent of this comes from the Corn Belt area. Factory hog farming accounts for about 80 percent of the nation’s hogs.
Hog farming has had some controversy in recent years in such states as North Carolina, Iowa and Missouri and well as our neighbor to the north Canada. The recent controversy comes from the pollutants and odors that are produced by the farms and factories. Manure that comes from hog farming is different than regular human sewage as it does not have to go through a sewage treatment plant. Because of this many believe the pollution produced should not be underestimated.
Manure that is produced by hog farming has 30 times the power in polluting the water on the surface, as well as drinking water, than that of human sewage. Manure that is produced very quickly because of swine farming produces more pathogens. Therefore it increases the opportunity to pollute the water.
Experts in the field of agriculture state that manure that is produced from hog farming makes a great fertilizer. This fertilizer is very useful for farmers as it gives the soil the nutrients needed for healthy crops.
Hog farming brings about problems because many times the hog farms are close to communities in which people live and the communities are then worried about the waste that is produced in terms of the potential contamination to wells and rivers which the communities use.
Another issue that surrounding communities have with hog farming is the odor. Some people feel that the unpleasant smell actually lowers the value of their property. This is a cause for concern.
The more hogs that are on the farm mean larger profits for the farmers. But with more hogs more waste is produced. Because of these hazards which are happening, because of hog farming, many foreigners involved in the industry are leaving their countries with the tough regulations and environmental restrictions that have been placed on them. Many are moving to Canada as, besides Quebec, the country has given an invitation for those in the hog farming industry to set up shop considering the less restrictive regulations.
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