The pigs are part of the whole farm plan with paddock rotations occurring every 3 years. Moving the pigs to a new site helps minimise the risk of disease and protects any impact on the land and the water table.
The regular rotation of the pigs to new paddocks prevents the build up of nutrients which can potentially compromise the water table.
The pigs live happily in their paddocks, with pre farrowing and farrowing occurring in the paddocks.
A Lucerne crop or a summer fodder crop is normally planted once the pigs have moved to their new location. These crops have a deep tap root system which uses the nutrients left behind by the pigs. Using these nutrients prevents pollution of the water table. It is also well understood the benefits of Lucerne adding nitrogen back into the soil profile.
Year 6 - 9 Cereal crops such as canola, wheat and barley are grown, which is then harvested and maybe used as part of the pigs ration.
Year 9 The land either goes back into pasture, or is ready for the pigs to return.
The piglets are weaned into open ended straw based huts where they can move around and interact with each other. The waste from these huts is cleaned out and left to compost. It is then spread out onto other paddocks throughout the properties which help’s to improve soil health and texture.
