Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Business organization and coordination in niche hog marketing

Project ID: M2004-22

Abstract

Niche hog marketing enterprises face a unique set of challenges. This study considered five critical management issues, and analyzed the workings of two niche pork markets in Iowa. Issues of market timing, product quality, process verification, business organization, and sharing of returns are discussed.

Key Question: How can an Iowa niche hog farmer be more successful?

Findings: This project showed that the business organization and coordination of a niche market are crucial to its success. Issues that need to be addressed are market timing, product quality, process verification, business organization, and sharing of returns. A strategy for all of these should be established before the business venture is initiated. This will assist in the success of the business.

Lead investigator: James B. Kliebenstein, ISU Economics, et al

Year of grant completion: 2008

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

Topics: Business management, distribution and marketing, Niche meat, dairy and poultry