Free Range Pigs as an integral part of a sustainable farm system

Soaring feed and fuel cost, exorbitant prices for fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides, how can any pig farm survive?

Over the years I have learned just how beneficial grazing pigs can be to our farm.  Our pastures, while not certified although they could be, are organic in the way they are managed with the help of our pigs.  We work in harmony with  the pigs natural behaviours instead of trying to control those instincts and habits.

Our farm, an intensive piggery and cropping in another life, has now been put back to native pasture.  These grasses are so important to the environment and best of all, they are free!  Why do people spent so much money on trying to destroy them and planting exotic species?  I suppose they look nice don't they where as the natives tend to look a little untidy.  You wont see rolling green hills here. The picture above shows natives in summer at their best.

Native grasses grow quite tall and at the end of their season they 'hay off' naturally - meaning your paddocks are full of long, dry grass.  What use could  they possibly be to us?

Because we rotate our pigs throughout the property, we always let some of the summer grass paddocks rest.  They grow so dense that when they have dried off by the end of summer, they will make excellent winter paddocks for the sows.  You see, sows don't just build nests to give birth in, they build them for their own comfort also.  A few sows will get to work and build a large communal bed from the grasses in the paddock.  They cut the dry stems off in their mouths and carry them to their chosen location.  Here they chew them up to resemble bought in hay and arrange the grass so that it will protect them from cold and frost.  It is interesting to note that even when these sows are given hutches, they prefer to build these nests when materials are available.

The sows will also shelter from the wind, while still laying in the warmth of the sun, amongst the tall grasses and they also offer protection from predators for sows with young piglets. 

We manage our grower pigs in a similar fashion but they do not possess the nest building skills of the mature sows and therefore are bedded in warm huts.

When the sows are moved on from this paddock, we are left with land ready to plant to a crop.  The long grasses have been recycled into bedding and crushed up by the sows into pieces that are readily broken down to become humus in the soil.  A wonderful example of the carbon cycle.  Pigs relish broadleaf weeds and many pests both in the soil and on the plants and rid the paddocks of them as they graze. The sows have also fertilised the soil with manure.  We have no need to apply any fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides to this naturally healthy land.  One pass with a no till seeder and its done!  We didn't even have to buy in straw bedding for the sows, they simply harvest it themselves. Can you imagine the money saved using this system and the incredible benefit to our environment?

We use a cropping system called 'Pasture Cropping' that makes the most out of native grasses.  These grasses lay dormant after the first frosts so therefore, if you plant carefully into the soil, you can grow a winter cereal crop that will be ready for harvest around the same time as the grasses are coming back to life in summer without having to plough the land or apply herbicides.  When the crop is harvested, healthy green natives are already growing underneath and will be immediately available for animals to eat.  Of course, you don't have to harvest the grain, it can be grazed also.

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How do we get the paddocks evenly spread with manure?  Again we take advantage of the pig's behaviour.  They tend to spend most of their time within a 100 metre radius of their food and water source.  Because we use self feeders in the paddocks, every time they are filled, we moved them to a new location ensuring that the entire paddock will be covered by the pigs during their time in it. It also prevents the overuse of any one particular area of the paddock.  So, for all those that think this cant be done on a large scale, not so, it is really quite simple.

The relatively small amount of manure and spent bedding that we do collect is composted in piles on paddocks not grazed by pigs.  When the compost is ready, it is simply spread with harrows and further distributed when the paddock is planted.

Nothing is wasted here.  The few deaths we have on this farm are from laid on piglets.  These too are returned to the soil as a biodynamic liquid fertilizer (not for the faint hearted!)  In wet weather, we use a lot of shredded paper for bedding as this is far more absorbent than straw or wood shavings and readily breaks down into the soil.  Its nice to know too that our pigs are helping recycle this used paper in the best possible way.

This year we hope to harvest grain to feed our pigs from healthy land that has been maintained and fertilized solely by our pigs.  No other inputs, what farmer wouldn't want to be able to say that!  Of course we are at the mercy of the weather and will be praying for rain.

Our system of farming does leave us with one thing notably missing that factory farms have in abundance   .... the smell.

To summarize, our free range pigs contribute to our farm in the following ways:

• Free organic fertilizer
• Free spreading of fertilizer
• Free mulching and slashing services
• Free hay making service
• Free weed and pest eradication
• They save us, and the environment, the expense of fuel to drive machinery that would do the same job
• They save us, and the environment mega litres of water by distributing manure naturally.
• Effluent is not stored it in chemical laden, toxic, manure ponds
• They enable us to make use of free pasture species that do not need planting every year
• Lower our feed costs by grazing native pastures and sown cereals
• They build carbon in our soils and do their bit for global warming

And as if all this weren't enough, these pigs then provide us with the best tasting, healthiest pork on the planet!

Australian Pork Limited have put out a document against outdoor pig production  and in it, it states:

Environmentally damaging?    I don't think so!

Here is a very thought provoking piece on 'forgiveness farming' that tells a much more accurate story.

To read more about how we farm our pigs, especially if you are interested in setting up your own free range piggery, visit this page www.melandapark.com.au/farmingpigs.html

The suitability of outdoor pig farming, better known as free range, as a sustainable farming system, is a matter of careful site selection, environmental controls and sound management practices.

Suggestions that a welfare friendly, free range system is not based on an assessment of the needs of Australian pigs, but on an intuitive reaction, are based on a perception of free range producers being ‘hobbyfarmers’ with little knowledge or experience, who let their emotions cloud their judgment.

Anyone contemplating a free range venture needs to be armed with as much information as possible, sound management skills and a strong commitment to the welfare of animals, human health and respect for the environment in which we farm.

Climate and Soil Conditions

The choice of an appropriate site for a free range piggery is paramount to both the production efficiency and the welfare of the pigs.   Outdoor piggeries, just like any other livestock operation, can impact on the environment if not managed correctly.

Ideally, a free range piggery should be sited in an area of less than 800mm of rain per year. Higher, or lower  rainfall areas may be acceptable depending on soil type and will require a higher standard of management.

Soils should be free draining to prevent plugging and waterlogging. The risk of soil erosion is affected by soil texture, rainfall, slope and ground cover.  Poor soil structure will also play a part in soil erosion risk.

The risk of flooding must be assessed when siting the piggery on flat land.

Stony, flinty or rocky soils should be avoided as they have the potential to damage the pigs feet and legs. Pigs are not comfortable walking on this type of land.

Sodic soils are generally not suitable for free range pig production.

Temperature

Ideally, a temperate zone is preferred for pigs although, pigs are capable of performing under varying climatic conditions.  Pigs will tolerate cold weather much better that hot.  They do not cope well with high humidity as this impacts on their natural cooling ability.

Pigs do have strategies for responding to high temperatures and will cool themselves in mud wallows.  Access to plenty of shade and cool water is mandatory in hot weather. Pigs should only be herded in the cool of early morning or evening during summer to avoid heat stress.  Pigs will naturally move very little on hot days, preferring to graze at night.  Ready access to drinking water is very important.

Other Factors

Environmental Considerations

‘Farming systems cannot be considered in isolation from the environment, they need to be considered within their overall environmental impact’ (Australian Pork Limited).  Environmental impacts include waste management and odour control.

The major environmental issues associated with pig production in general are water pollution and air emissions.  Water pollution can occur from the leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus into water ways, and also, pathogens in pig manure, especially from the disposal of stored liquid waste.  Air emissions of concern are ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide, all of which are in far greater quantities in stored manure, a system employed by intensive, housed pig production units.

The main greenhouse gasses of pig production that impact on global warming are methane and nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide is mostly emitted from stored manure, a practice not necessary on free range farms.

Methane is emitted from the digestive processes of the pig, far less though than cattle or sheep. Methane is also emitted from the decomposition of manure, especially from stored liquid waste.  Intensive production units store their manure as a liquid waste in effluent ponds or tanks producing the greatest risk to methane in the environment when compared to outdoor production.

Carbon Dioxide, also a greenhouse gas, is produced as a result of heating and cooling of sheds for confined pig production.

Ammonia, dust and micro-organisms generated in housed pig units are a threat to human and animal health. While ammonia emissions from the pigs themselves vary little between production systems, the latter spreading of stored effluent must be taken into account. Ammonia emission rates will vary according to housing, livestock type and the season. 

Soil Denitrification

In any livestock production system, including intensively housed animals, soil denitrifcation can occur. Manure ponds can present a threat to the environment should they leak or spill, degrading water and air quality and imposing on humane health. The current trend is for less, but much larger pig production units.  This can present problems with effluent disposal and could serve to concentrate manure and potential environmental hazards in the one location.

On the free range farm, spreading manure evenly and incorporating it into the top 15 – 20 cm as soon as possible, will help reduce ammonia losses into the atmosphere.  Manure, whether liquid or solid, should not be incorporated too deeply as it cannot decompose properly and nitrate can leach into the groundwater.  

Mindful stocking densities, good biological activity in the soil, paddock rotations and systems that manage manure well, and efficient composting methods will help reduce ammonia emissions on the free range farm.

Movement of pigs around their paddocks, with the strategic placement of feeders and water, will ensure even distribution of manure and prevent the over use of single areas of land. When grass cover is seriously reduced, pigs should be moved on and the paddock rested or cropped. 

Ideally, a free range piggery would have several sites around which it rotates the pigs breaking any parasite and potential disease cycles, also minimizing environmental stress. A cycle of moving the pigs to new ground every two years should keep the herd and paddocks healthy.

The land previously occupied by pigs, will be very fertile and a cropping faze after the land is vacated will not only be economically advantageous, it will take up nutrient that may have built up in the soil.

Water Use

Water use on a free range piggery is usually confined to drinking water for pigs and maintenance of wallows.  Outdoor production is far more efficient in the use of water when compared to housed systems that rely on huge amounts of water for cleaning and flushing of effluent systems.

Biodiversity

Of the 650 recorded farm pig breeds, 150 have become extinct over the past 100 years.  One third of the remaining pig breeds are at risk of being lost.

With the trend now leaning towards genetic engineering and cloning, it is becoming even more important to maintain the different genotypes that we still have.  Given the cost and care required to maintain rare breed pig herds and their inability to adapt to confined conditions, the smaller, free range producer is more likely to take on the task.  Little is known yet of the implications for animal welfare and possible risks to the environment from genetically modified pigs escaping. The threat to pig genetic diversity is a matter that should be taken seriously.   

The outdoor pig producer will find that the genetics used by the intensive industry will generally be unsuitable for free range production.  They have been selectively bred for traits suited to confined conditions and characteristics such as a very lean carcass.  These pigs have trouble coping in a free range environment.

More conventional breeds such as, Duroc, Hampshire, Tamworth, Wessex Saddleback, Large Blacks crossed with Large White and Landrace, will do well in an outdoor environment.

Erosion

The potential for soil erosion is one of the main concerns in an outdoor piggery.  Stocking densities must be adjusted to suit the land. Steep slopes are generally no suitable because of the higher risk of erosion and runoff.  Gentle slopes can be managed by ensuring good paddock rotation and keeping grassed corridors across the slope.  This will also ensure access with machinery during wet weather. Ideally, the land would be contoured to slow the movement of water through the property.

The maintenance of ground cover is very important for a free range piggery.  It will slow the movement of water, provide additional drainage and help prevent damage to wet soils. Ground cover also acts as an insulator, keeping the ground cooler in hot weather.

Waste Management

Free range piggeries will not be faced with the onerous task of disposing of dangerous liquid manure waste.  Instead, paddocks occupied by pigs will have to be managed well to ensure the even distribution of manure and that this waste does not build up to unacceptable levels.  Annual soil testing will assess how well the system is working and if paddocks are at risk of nutrient build up. Adjusting stocking densities to prevent the build up of wastes cannot be stressed enough.

Pigs and Predation

The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – Pigs, states that pigs must be protected from predators.

The major predators of concern to the free range farm are foxes and crows.  The threat from these two predators is usually limited to newborn piglets while at their most vulnerable stage of life, during farrowing and the following few days.

Not all locations will be affected by foxes and crows, but when the threat is present, steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the farrowing sow and her young with appropriate housing or exclusion fencing.

As with any livestock production system, there is occasional threat of attack from eagles and feral dogs.  The use of guard animals works well in an outdoor production environment.

Biosecurity – Feral Pigs

Feral pig numbers in Australia are growing.  On the one hand, it is testament to just how well pigs do in free range environment, but on the other, they can be a threat to the outdoor herd.  The introduction of disease is a major threat, another being the potential to mate with outdoor sows.

Boundary fences must not only be adequate to retain your own pigs and prevent them from straying, it must be able to exclude feral pigs.

Farm Management & Stockmanship

Free range production is far more labour intensive than housed pig systems and will require a different level of management and stockmanship.  As in any form of pig production, without adequate systems and competent Stockmanship, the welfare of the pigs could be placed at risk.  Generally, free range units are family farms with a much more ‘hands on’ approach to pig production.  Free range farms of course are much smaller than intensive units and problems can be noted and rectified quickly.

Finding a course in the handling of pigs would be advised for anyone contemplating farming these animals.

Outdoor Pigs and Parasites

No matter what type of production system is employed, parasites in pigs will have to be dealt with.  The major parasites affecting the outdoor herd are lice, mange and worms.

Mange can be detrimental to production and the herd should be treated as soon as an infestation is noticed.  Instances of mange are lower when pigs have access to mud wallows. Mange effect indoor or outdoor production systems equally.

Worms can be managed in the same manner as other livestock production systems, e.g. sheep.  Good pasture management, paddock rotations and worm fecal egg counts to monitor infestations for treatment when necessary.

Outdoor Pigs and Disease

Free range pigs have a relatively high health status due to the low stocking density and reduced disease challenge.

Sunburn

Pigs born into an outdoor production system adapt very well to their environment.  Their skin is tougher and they carry much more hair than pigs housed indoors.  If a pig born in an intensive production unit was to be suddenly exposed to the sun, it would suffer severe sunburn. Acclimatized pigs, even white ones, cope with their natural environment very well and apart from the extra protection their thicker skin and hair gives them, they make good use of mud wallows to coat themselves in nature’s sunscreen.  Free range pigs will of course need access to plenty of good shade.

Foot Problems

Indoor pigs suffer foot and leg problems due to the nature of their confinement and lack of exercise and are generally culled at an early age.  Outdoor pigs can suffer foot conditions caused by stony, hard and uneven ground.  The outdoor herd should also be monitored for overgrown hooves that can occur on soft ground.

Summary

Free range pig farming may not be the viable alternative to provide significant amounts of pork to consumers, but, the number of concerned consumers is growing and they should be offered a choice. The free range farmer should not be seen as a threat to the intensive industry, rather, they should be embraced as an alternative to those consumers that seek a free range product and would not buy pork otherwise.

There is a niche market that has a definite preference for pigs that were able to experience the wind, sun and rain on their backs and free range farmers can meet that demand.

All forms of pig production, or any livestock production system, will require sound management skills to ensure the welfare of those animals, the care of the environment and that there is no risk to human health from the pork that is produced.

Sustainability is more than environmental issues, it’s also about acceptable farming practices.