Manitoba farmers now have more than nineteen years of experience with group
housing pigs in straw bedded shelters. The results are good and more farms are
constructing them in an effort to diversify farm income. Straw-bedded systems represent
a low cost alternative to conventional housing. These systems are not restricted to hoop
buildings however the principles which apply to management of pigs on straw will still
largely apply in other structures as well. Converted machine sheds, horse barns, and
poultry facilities are successfully being modified to rear pigs in groups of 500, 1000, or
even 2000 pigs. Ventilation issues and access to feed, water and sleeping areas need to
be approached differently in each type of facility.
Daily management and attention to the needs of the pig will be key to success in
straw based systems. Interestingly, this is both the attraction for some people, and a
deterrent for others who consider this approach to pig rearing.
This paper should be used in conjunction with the Manitoba Agriculture Food and
Rural Initiatives Cost of Production (C.O.P.) Budget for swine raised in hoop structures.
The COP budgets can be accessed from the MAFRI website
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/financial/farm/farm.html . These are updated annually.