June 20, 2002

Hoop-type Hog Buildings May be Better for North Dakota Producers

Hoop-style buildings can reduce the investment required for producers to begin producing hogs in North Dakota, a study at North Dakota State University’s Dickinson Research Extension Center shows. The study compared the hoop-type buildings with conventional facilities.

A goal of the research is to find affordable ways to increase hog production numbers in North Dakota, says Doug Landblom, animal scientist at the Dickinson center. He says the state is ideal for hog production with its large feed grain base, favorable environment, low farm density, minimal swine disease and work ethic however, the state produces only 1 percent of the nation’s hogs. Housing conditions for confinement rearing of growing-finishing pigs is expensive, and producers and lenders are apprehensive about permanent structures that cost $180 or more per pig space.

According to Landblom, hoop-type buildings designed for all-in all-out management, are relatively low cost and are environmentally acceptable. The most commonly used hoop structures are 35 feet long and 75 feet wide (2,625 square feet) with a one time capacity of 200-220 head of finished hogs and have 1/3 of the start up cost of poured concrete buildings.

"More than one option exists for their use in the hog industry. They can be used very effectively for growing-finishing pigs, as well as for farrowing, sow gestation and breeding facilities. The possibilities are far-reaching and can be accomplished at a lower cost for entry level producers or established producers that want to expand using lower-cost facilities." Landblom said.

Hoop structures are designed as solid waste systems. Therefore a considerable amount of crop residue bedding is essential to keep pigs warm and dry and that the manure packed inside the buildings must be removed and composted between each group pigs. Labor must be available on the farm to bed pigs frequently, clean pens between groups, and apply manure to fields.

Pigs in the hoop-type building may also be less susceptible to diseases as there is more air ventilation. This ventilation, however, may cause the building to be too cold for starting pigs during the winter in northern plains states. Landblom recommends winter starter pigs weigh at least 55 to 65 pounds before going into a hoop grow-finish building and that a light tubular framed canvas covered hover be constructed to trap body heat for warmth when the pigs are sleeping. Hovers are hinged at the wall and lowered down over the pigs with pulleys. When bedding, cleaning, or during warmer times of the year when they are not needed the hovers are raised up and out of the way.

"When compared to the conventional system, pigs reared in the hoop type buildings had the greatest net return per pig," Landblom said.

The study also showed that the hoop structures would generate an estimated $6,160 more net return than the conventional facilities. Increasing the number of hogs produced in the state will multiply business activity within the agriculture and non agriculture business sectors, which would indirectly provide goods and services to the industry.

According to Landblom these buildings are safer to the environment compared to conventional buildings. Manure removed from the hoop buildings is composted before field application, which contributes to the distribution of swine waste over a greater surface area reducing the potential contamination of surface and groundwater supplies.

"Composted manure develops an earthy smell unlike the offensive odor commonly associated with liquid manure removed from conventional buildings," Landblom said.

The hoop-type buildings are also fairly simple to assemble. Sidewalls are constructed of used railroad ties and planks and the hoop is attached to the top of the ties. While the structure appears to be permanent, it can be dismantled and moved if necessary. In addition, Landblom noted that the buildings have many other uses, such as, calving barns, cattle working facilities, riding arenas, equipment storage and many others.

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Source: Doug Landblom, (701) 483-2072, dlandblo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Stephanie Renner, (701) 231-8371, Stephanie.Renner@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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