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Pig Operation Interview Paper

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We got the opportunity to choose a topic that we wanted to learn more about; I am passionate about the swine industry growing up on a small show pig operation, but on the flip side of things I wanted to learn more about the commercial and production side. I decided to interview an employ at Maschhoff’s and I also got to observe a site of theirs. A little background information about Maschhoff’s, is a fifth-generation family owned hog operation. The headquarters is in Carlyle, Illinois. They produce enough pork to feed 16 million consumers annually. With going into this research knowing what I did I knew; this was going to be an experience that would open a door of meeting people advocating for this industry with the same passion that I do …show more content…

I have been to confinement operation before, but one on this measure certainly is impressive. The day I got to observe the facility was the day they loaded market hogs that were ready to harvest. Production technicities will load 280 pound hogs on a semi which will hold 160 hogs. Then they will be transported to the JBS plant which is a local slaughter house. While I was there I can tell that this operation truly cares about animal welfare. They were loading hogs the more humane way. While this process is taking place, the confinement building that they are finished out in is a temperature controlled environment to allow them to take less stress off the animals when going through this dramatic …show more content…

This will allow Megan to share her experiences with you and tell the story behind where our food supply comes from. This is where they go above and beyond share the passion to those who will take their position in future generations. For example, Maschhoff’s over the years has gone hand and hand with the National Junior Swine Association, of being a proud sponsor, giving scholarships to those who are continuing their education. Being a part of this program where the exhibitor and membership numbers as high as NJSA is huge for them to get the future advocators that have the passion for the swine industry more involved on the other side of things. I certain know coming from a small show pig operation of farrowing only 40 sows a year and showing them at the local, state and national level is totally different the Maschoff family; where this family has 7500 sows and will have 100,000 wean to market space which means they will raise 5 million hogs a year. Per site they will have 6000 head. Every Monday and Thursday they will get 2000 head to come into the finisher. This is where it becomes a small world; all these hogs come from the gestation operation which is

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