The Research Alliance for Farrowing Project

Published Feb 1, 2007

The swine industry is in change. Consumers are showing interest in pork that “tells a story” of sustainable farming in concert with the environment and quality of life ideals. A growing number of farmers who raise pigs on diversified farms are seizing on these emerging markets as a way to remain in farming while enhancing their quality of life and the environmental sustainability of the farm. However, producers who are raising pigs in alternative systems are among the first to cite the difficulties. Responding to these concerns, PFI submitted a project proposal to the USDA SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Program that we called The Research Alliance for Farrowing, the Weak Link in Alternative Swine Systems.