Smithfield Progress in sow keeping
Photo: Smithfield
Percentage of Sows in Company-Owned Group Housing
fleischwirtschaft.com — USA, Smithfield,Virginia. Smithfield Foods, Inc. reported that 87% of pregnant sows on company-owned farms have been transitioned to group housing systems, a 6% increase over 2015. As planned when Smithfield first announced its commitment in 2007, all company-owned farms in the U.S. are expected to be fully converted by 2017.
Actually nearly nine out of every ten of their pregnant sows are living in group housing. The change has cost several hundred mill. dollars, and on many of the farms, the transition process led to additional construction work, equipment and system upgrades and the development of new feeding and watering systems.
Beyond efforts at company-owned farms, Smithfield previously announced it expects all U.S. contract growers to transition to group housing by 2022. Smithfield has committed to providing guidance and expertise to its contract growers to support their conversion process.
Beyond efforts at company-owned farms, Smithfield previously announced it expects all U.S. contract growers to transition to group housing by 2022. Smithfield has committed to providing guidance and expertise to its contract growers to support their conversion process.
Smithfield's hog production operations in Poland (AgriPlus) and Romania (Smithfield Ferme) fully converted to group housing facilities on company-owned farms several years ago. Smithfield's other international hog operations, including company-owned farms in Mexico, are expected to convert to group housing by 2022.