Extensive bedded indoor and outdoor pig production systems in USA: current trends and effects on animal care and product quality

The objective of this review paper is to document extensive bedded indoor and outdoor pig production in the United States, which has expanded due to growing niche markets for natural and organic pork. Bedded hoop (tentlike) barns are used for finishing pigs and gestating sows. Seasonal outdoor farrowing and some indoor bedded farrowing systems coupled with group lactation are used also. Most natural pork markets require outdoor or bedded settings, no subtherapeutic antibiotics or growth promotants, no animal by-products in feed, and a family farm production setting. Hoop-fed pigs have more backfat, smaller loin area, and lower carcass yield compared with confinement-fed pigs. Hoop-fed pigs have fewer aberrant behaviors and handle easier than confinement pigs. Health is similar except for an increase in internal parasites in hoop-fed pigs. Pigs in hoops are in larger groups than in confinement. Biosecurity in hoops is more difficult due to incoming bedding and open access. Hoop-fed pig performance varies depending on thermal environment, which is closely related to season and climate. Bedded hoop barns with individual feeding stalls provide an acceptable environment for gestating sows. Overall, product quality differences are relatively minor compared with wide variations in rearing environment for extensively reared pigs.