Made to last: Producers update hog buildings with new tech

Hog confinement buildings are proof that anything that is well maintained can likely outlive its shelf life.

Those large white buildings that went up in the 1990s were expected to last around 20 years. Now more than three decades later, many are still being used as finishers, nurseries and farrowing houses.

“For the most part, those buildings have been very well maintained over the years,” says Lee Johnston, Extension swine specialist with the University of Minnesota. “I know people have put in slats and some other things, but these buildings were made to last a long time.”

He says while the structure of the barns remains good, things have changed on the inside. This includes technology such as tunnel ventilation and systems that allow the building’s air flow and temperature to be maintained through a cell phone.

Newer buildings likely have more technology designed to improve biosecurity.

“Biosecurity is a major issue in the pork industry, so new buildings are made to improve this,” Johnston says.

While a new building might be appealing, Johnston says economic factors need to be weighed.

He says many producers get into the business through a contracting agreement with a larger producer. Johnston says in a contract situation, buildings need to be as modern as possible because of the improved biosecurity systems, ventilation and feeder technology and overall building efficiency.

He says producers also need to look long-term before making a decision to put up a new building.

“Your family situation could be changing, so you won't want to go to that expense if you don't have somebody that's going to be raising pigs in that building in 20 years,” Johnston says. “It's a big decision.”

Before putting up a new building, environmental issues need to be considered, says Brett Ramirez, Extension ag engineer with Iowa State University.

“You will need to check with the DNR to make sure the site will work,” he says. “There may be codes you are not aware of, so you'll have to do your research to figure out where to put the building.”

Ramirez says hog buildings that may have been intended to be finishers may now be used as a nursery, for example.

“We do get questions about old barns being used in other ways, he says, adding retrofitting old buildings should not be done if it's going to be cost-prohibitive.

Ramirez adds he is impressed with the longevity of these older buildings.

“The biggest difference you see is the technology in the new buildings,” he says. “But structurally, those buildings were made to last. They’ve worked well for a long time.”