From farrowing practices to waste management, swine producers are tasked with educating and demonstrating the most sustainable farrow-to-finish practices that provide wholesome pork on consumers’ plates.
Larry Liepold, Minnesota’s 2022 Environmental Steward of the Year, demonstrates his desire to preserve the land, resources and environment of his family farm in southwest Minnesota, while challenging the status quo and embracing changes that benefit the environment and are fiscally responsible. Liepold built his first confinement barn in 1988.
“It’s fortunate to have seen the transition of the 1970s to indoor production from outdoor production. Seeing the build-up of a systems approach that provides a suitable environment to grow pork as the consumer demands and attend to the animal’s well-being while using less energy, land, and water and creating a valuable soil amendment in manure,” Liepold said in a release.
Tillage and Manure
Seeing the benefits of soil health, Liepold began using the strip-till method in his crop fields. Strip tillage allows water to reach plant roots faster and use oxygen and microbes in the soil more efficiently.
The manure from his pig operation provides “a more equal and stable soil health than any commercial, mass-produced product created in a lab,” he explained. Liepold demonstrates his dedication to conservation through mindful, calculated practices of tillage and manure management.
Carbon-Neutral Pig
Liepold believes the industry is well on its way to a carbon-neutral pig. Using motion light sensors and timers to control barn temperature, implementing LED lighting where possible, and using stainless steel water troughs have all helped move the dial towards efficiency.
Rather than setting goals that get met and forgotten, he chooses to set big-picture objectives and smaller goals within, Minnesota Pork Board said in a release. This encourages him to keep moving forward and challenges him to continue working towards a larger purpose.
Local and Sustainable
Spronk Brothers III, recognized as the Minnesota Pork Board’s Family of the Year in 2022, share similar ideals as Liepold when it comes to producing sustainable pork. The Spronk Family began as a sole-proprietorship and has evolved into a multi-generational farm, dedicated to maintaining a profitable venture by efficiently managing resources and contributing to the local economy.
“What we do here in Minnesota has an impact. At the end of the day, we are proud to be contributors to the local economy; we are proud to serve the industry for the greater benefit of the entire industry; we are proud to provide jobs and produce a successful product,” said Gordon Spronk in a release.
The desire for society trust runs deep in the farm through mindful management of sows, record keeping and standard practices. The family’s goal is to leave the land better than when they started farming it.
Forward-thinking, adaptability and leadership greatly impact the viability of swine operations. Spronk Brothers III and Larry Liepold adhere to these qualities. This success can be attributed to providing pork that consumers trust, Minnesota Pork Board said in a release. By effectively managing resources and continually challenging current practices, operations can evolve and be relevant for generations to come.
