Niche Pork
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Niche pork is pork with attributes that appeal to certain market segments, meaning customers who want something different. These are known as niche markets. Certified organic and humanely-raised are examples of niche pork. The reason niche products are important is that otherwise farmers need to compete based on price. That treadmill leads to things such as bigger farms and towns without people. Iowa is known as the largest producer of pork in the country. Many PFI members raise and market niche hogs as a strategy to remain viable. Since 2001 PFI has had a focus on helping niche pork farmers succeed.
The Niche Pork program:
Conducts "virtual farm tours" of niche hog farms to help others see and learn from existing producers. The 2010 Niche Pork Farm Tours and Discussion will begin in February. To register contact Dave Stender.
Collaborates with various partners to develop and conduct a wide variety of research and outreach projects. These range from assessing market potential to developing new products to addressing production issues.
Evaluates emerging challenges and opportunities, and works quickly to develop new projects such as helping transition niche hog enterprises to the next generation, and crafting a project to analyze the potential to retrofit unused existing hog facilities for niche pork production.
Facilitates the Pork Niche Marketing Working Group (PNMWG). Members include farmers, niche pork companies, and groups such as the Leopold Center, ISU Extension, the Iowa Pork Industry Center, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the National Pork Board, and the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives.
Niche Pork Farm Tour Webinars Winter/Spring 2009
Profile of PFI member: Martin Kramer
Practical Farmers of Iowa On-Farm Research and Demonstration Report listed by year: PDF format
On-Farm Research and Demonstration: Niche Pork
- Hoophouses and Composting - A Good Match? (2004-2007)
- Oats in Swine Rations (2001-2003)
- The Research Alliance for Farrowing Project (2004-2007)
- Herd Health (2002)
- Biosolids-Who Pays? (2001)
- Composting Hoophouse Manure-is it worth it? (2001)
- First Year Experience with Hoophouse Hogs (1997)
- Alfalfa as a Feed Supplement for Finishing Hogs (1996)
- Barley Versus Corn Based Hog Rations (1995)
- Barley-Based Hog Ration vs. a Corn Based Ration (1994)
Publications
- Cost of Niche Pork Production Report 2006
- Managing for Herd Health in Alternative Swine Systems 2007
- Niche Pork Production Handbook 2007
- Gastrointestinal Parasites of Livestock 2000
- E-Hut Farrowing Plans and Pictures 2000
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Gary Huber, (515) 450-6812 |