Minnesota pork producers are part of a progressive and innovative industry. The men and women involved in swine production provide a nutritional protein source to domestic and international markets, and their businesses generate billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to local economies. Minnesota pork producers are nationally recognized for adopting science-based technologies to shelter, feed and care for their pigs. Modern swine facilities are designed by professional agricultural engineers who focus on animal comfort and environmental protection. Minnesota is also home to many of the nation’s leading swine veterinarians and researchers.
SECOND IN PRODUCTION AND VALUE
Nationally, Minnesota ranks second in the number of hogs its producers’ raise and also second in the value of hogs that Minnesota farmers’ sell for processing into meat products. Minnesota pork producers marketed 15 million hogs in 2008. Iowa ranks first in hog numbers, North Carolina is third, Illinois is fourth and Indiana is fifth.(Source: National Pork Board, 2008)
SWINE OPERATIONS, EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMICS
Swine Operations
The Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service recorded 4,400 Minnesota farming operations with one or more hogs in 2008. In Minnesota, 84 percent of the hogs are raised on operations that market 2,000 head or more a year. Several factors contribute to swine operations raising more pigs, including:
the necessity to raise a greater number of livestock to meet family living expenses,
the adoption of technology that makes production on a larger scale possible,
the trend toward specialization in farming.
Employment
The pork industry supports 22,500 Minnesota jobs. These jobs include services for hog management and care, accountants, nutritionists, agronomists, meat processing, construction and related building fields, trucking and feed mill operations.
Economics
In 2008, Minnesota pork producers earned $2 billion in gross income from hog sales. This is the revenue received by the farmer to pay expenses. Each $1 in gross income from Minnesota pork production generates another $2.80 into the Minnesota economy, for an annual economic contribution of $7.6 billion.
Minnesota pork producers are fortunate to have two major pork processing plants within its borders: Hormel Foods, based in Austin, Minn., and JBS (Swift & Company), with operations in Worthington, Minn. In nearby Sioux Falls, S.D., John Morrell has its largest pork processing plant. Research shows that each job at the farm level in hog production creates two supporting jobs in pork processing.
GRAIN CONSUMPTION
Minnesota pigs consumed approximately 169 million bushels of corn and 60 million bushels of soybeans in 2008. Pork producers blend together a variety of feed ingredients to provide pigs a balanced diet. Corn, and sometimes barley, oats or wheat, provide dietary energy, and soybean meal provides protein. Vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and phosphorous, are also added to the rations.
SWINE MANURE AS A FERTILIZER
University of Minnesota research has shown economic and environmental benefits of using swine manure as a fertilizer. A 12-year research project found that swine fertilizer produces a yield advantage for corn crops, when compared to commercial fertilizers. This means that swine manure can help corn growers increase their profits through higher yields and reduce their cost of purchased fertilizer. A separate University of Minnesota study also highlights the environmental benefits of using swine manure. The various organic materials found in swine manure helps build and maintain soil structure, which aids in water holding capacity, improves soil aeration and reduces soil erosion.
Minnesota pork producers are part of a progressive and innovative industry. The men and women involved in swine production provide a nutritional protein source to domestic and international markets, and their businesses generate billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to local economies. Minnesota pork producers are nationally recognized for adopting science-based technologies to shelter, feed and care for their pigs. Modern swine facilities are designed by professional agricultural engineers who focus on animal comfort and environmental protection. Minnesota is also home to many of the nation’s leading swine veterinarians and researchers.
