Integrated swine systems "the animal component " - phase one; the Kansas State University survey

Abstract

A total of 650 questionnaires were sent to Kansas swine producers, and 279 were returned. There was an excellent distribution in producer size based on number of pigs marketed per year and producer age and educational level. The use of a lagoon to store swine waste is the most popular method in Kansas (38.8% of the respondents). One-third of the swine waste is disposed of by surface spreading and only 10.0% is applied primarily by soil injection. Less than one-half (45.5%) of the producers feel that nitrates in swine waste are environmental concerns and even less (27.0%) are concerned about phosphorus environmentally. Two-thirds of Kansas swine producers are keeping both financial and production records. However, only 44% of the producers are keeping records that could calculate days to market and whole-herd feed efficiency. Most producers (85.1%) know what synthetic amino acids are and 61.5% of the producers are currently using synthetic lysine in their diets. In conclusion, there are many areas for producer education that can be better addressed by extension personnel and industry leaders to improve producer knowledge. Based on the responses from this survey and the environmental issues facing the swine industry today and in the future, these issues need to be a larger part of our educational meetings.