In April, corn hit record highs. It has never been more expensive. This is despite the very high increase in production. Worldwide corn production will be at record highs this year but demand continues to outstrip supply. The amount of corn used to produce biofuels is already at its record and will continue to increase due to the new allowance for biofuels to be used in vehicle fuel from our Government (increased to 15%).

Gasoline is now at highs not seen since 2008 and will reach record highs this year.

The effect so far this year is a very tight supply of hogs from independent producers (like us). Hardest hit are the small farmers that raised modern breeds and crosses. Read any farm blog or forum and it is easy to see just how few piglets are available. Many small farmers have stopped raising hogs altogether as they just can’t sell them at a price that covers cost. People that are used to buying cheap piglets are unwilling to change their expectations and pay what is needed to keep the supply going.

So what can be done?

What we can’t do is try to get the price of corn lower. It simply isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Despite the outcry against GMO corn Monsanto has been given the green light to continue its devastating harm and even regulate itself; biofuels are still promoted as some magical tool to decrease oil importation (which it is simply not going to do); corn production is still controlled by a few large corporations. Consumers have allowed all of us to become corn dependent; walk the aisles of your local food store and start counting the number of food products that are made form corn that you buy to feed your family. Corn, the stuff that we feed our hogs, is used in such a large majority of items that provide a much higher return than livestock feed that we simply cannot affect its cost.

My opinion now is that we (small hog farmers) have one choice. We have to stop feeding corn to our hogs. Those of us that can, must lead the way and find ways to help others do the same.

It’s not impossible to change the source of hog feed but it will require sincere dedication and innovative thinking. It will require lots of research to fully understand hog nutrition and develop food sources that meet their needs. It will require nothing less than a revolution on our farms.

First, we have to grow our own feed. I’m not saying that we need to grow corn or soybeans; it would be bad economics to do so since you can get more by selling those. I am saying that we need to grow less expensive plants that we feed to our herds.

Clover is the most obvious choice; it is an excellent feed and very inexpensive. Cut or graze your grass pasture very low, remove the thatch and overseed with clover. Add some Lespedeza to provide forage during the heat of summer. Rotationally graze part of the pasture and cut hay from the rest to feed during the winter. Manage your pasture to favor the legumes and maintain at least 50% legumes in the grass.

If you don’t have the acreage to plant your own clover hay then buy it from local farmers (those that haven’t changed to corn production).

Consider other forage such as rape, alfalfa, turnips, winter wheat, etc.

Consider becoming a vegetable farmer. After you sell your produce at the Farmers Market, give the excess to your hogs and let them harvest what’s left.

Also, get your own source of dairy. Yep, get a milk cow or a bunch of milk goats…

The point is we have to become truly sustainable farmers; we have to cut or at least severely lessen our dependence on corn and utilize our whole farms to support the hogs.

Secondly we have to find and support alternative sources of food for hogs. As has been mentioned we have to go to the dairies and buy their excess and secondary products, we have to buy the old bread and waste grain, we have to visit the orchards and provide a reliable disposal service for their waste fruit.

Visit your local organic farmer and offer to help clean up their fields. Buy their waste produce. Even offer part of your farm for their use. If you are close enough to a city, create a community farm on your place and let people grow vegetables. Run your hogs when they are done; not only will they eat what is left but they will help prepare the soil for next year.

Third, find ways to decrease your need for fuel. Rotationally graze your herds so you won’t need to use your tractor to cut excess growth or spread fertilizer. Make friends with local Amish communities and the horse trainers they use. Amish horses need training before being put to use and this training requires pasture. When it’s time to cut your hay guess who might do it for free?

You could also find a local to cut hay that you won’t need. Most will do this on a share basis and this helps keep your pasture in shape.

Lastly, price your hogs and piglets correctly. Consumers need to know that, without them paying what is required to keep you in the hog business, there will not be a hog business, at least a source of healthy pork from small farms. What will be left, especially with heritage hogs, are a few well funded producers that can afford to lose money and well funded consumers that buy and eat heritage pork as a novelty.

This is all food for thought but also things I am doing here to try and keep my hog business going. I look forward to hearing from those of you that are finding ways to decrease the need for corn and fuel on your farms. The bottom line is that feed and fuel prices are not going down for a long time and we must think of ways to successfully raise hogs without those costs.