Niche pork markets have expanded rapidly. In the Midwest, frequently there are shortages of pigs born in the winter and summer and surpluses of pigs born in spring and fall. Most producers can meet the niche market requirements by farrowing outdoors in spring and fall. But farrowing outdoors in Midwest winters is difficult. Winter-farrowed sows will also farrow in the hot summer months, another challenging time due to heat and humidity. Therefore, the objective of this project was to modify an outdoor farrowing hut for winter and summer farrowing indoors to meet niche pork market requirements.
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