Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Developing an integrated research and outreach program for niche pork

Project ID: 2005-M28

Abstract

The project goal was to help farmers with production challenges involved in raising niche hogs (i.e., certified organic and antibiotic-free). It focused on developing and securing funds for an integrated research and outreach program to address swine production challenges. A second strategy was to continue to provide support for the Pork Niche Market Working Group.

Key Question: Can I make money raising niche hogs?

Findings: This project created an integrated niche pork research and outreach effort that will develop information on the costs of producing niche hogs, which is one crucial piece of information needed to answer this question, with the other being the price a farmer will receive for these hogs. The new production assistance project will also help farmers who now raise niche hogs lower their production costs so that they can be more profitable.

Lead investigator: Gary Huber, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Year of grant completion: 2006

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Market research and feasibility studies, Niche meat, dairy and poultry