Large-group housing of grower and finisher pigs has had a tremendous growth in popularity in recent years due primarily to increases in herd size, available automation in sorting and positive producer experiences with increasing group size. Yet, North American producers have had mixed reactions to both large-group housing and auto-sorting. This survey was conducted by the VIDO Swine Technical Group (VSTG) to synthesise the expertise and experiences of producers using the LGH system. The VSTG is a voluntary group of producer industry representatives and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization staff. Its mandate is to develop a multidisciplinary approach to common production issues and conduct knowledge transfer activities. The survey was conducted between September and November of 2006. LGH barns in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were targeted with mailed-out surveys, and responses were received from 120 barns representing more than 187,000 pig finishing spaces. The survey addressed issues such as training, animal health and welfare, performance, equipment and facilities and economics. The results were compiled by VIDO staff and analyzed by the VIDO Swine Technical Group members. Respondents indicated that problems with the auto-sort system could be as simple as incorrect scale settings, power failures or airline leaks. Success in managing the auto-sorter as a tool will dictate the success in not only weighing and sorting pigs, but in maintaining performance throughout the growing period. The greatest potential negative impact of the LGH/auto-sort system (LGAS) system was to restrict feed when feed was used as the lure to get animals through the auto-sorter. When this is done, it requires that all other factors optimizing feed intake (such as feeder space per animal being increased, feeder type, daily maintenance, reducing ‘out of feed’ events due to plugged feeders, feeder location and spacing) need to be optimized. In general there were fewer problems when pigs were trained to gradually use the sorter, when feed court size was optimized and feeder space was increased. Most respondents did not notice a significant difference in operating costs. More than 80 per cent of respondents would install a large-group housing system in the future.