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Low-input sustainable sow housing for Iowa
Leopold Center Completed Grant Reports
  • Mark S. Honeyman, Iowa State University
  • Steven J. Hoff, Iowa State University
  • James McKean, Iowa State University
  • Dwaine S. Bundy, Iowa State University
  • Emmett Stevermer, Iowa State University
Project ID
1993-03
Abstract
This project developed a low-cost, innovative sow housing and feeding system that is currently under consideration for a patent. A quasi ad libitum (free feeding of a controlled diet) electronic feeding system for gestating sows was housed in a 9.1 X 18.3 meter steel-hooped structure covered with an aluminized plastic tarp. A feeder served as a partition between high-energy and low-energy diet feeding areas. After weighing, hogs were directed to the appropriate diet by means of a tag number read by a computer. Such farm size-neutral housing can help producers raise lean market pigs. Other advantages include improved sow welfare, better worker environment, and less odor than confinement.
Principal Investigator(s)
Mark Honeyman, Steve Hoff
Co-Investigator(s)
James McKean, Dwaine Bundy, Emmett Stevermer
Year of Grant Completion
1996
Citation Information
Mark S. Honeyman, Steven J. Hoff, James McKean, Dwaine S. Bundy, et al.. "Low-input sustainable sow housing for Iowa" (1996)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steven_hoff/122/