UTICA, Ill. — It is not often one hears about a new grow-to-finish swine farm opening in north-central Illinois, and it’s even rarer when it enjoys support from neighbors and county elected officials.

But that’s exactly what happened during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 25 for John and Kate Hagenbush’s two new, 2,400-head swine barns near Utica in LaSalle County.
 Representatives of the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) and Illinois Soybean Assoc. (ISA) joined more than 250 neighbors, rural residents and others who were treated to a tour of the new buildings and a pork chop sandwich lunch hosted by the LaSalle County Farm Bureau.

“Kate and John previously had a 75-sow farrow-to-finish operation at their home farm. They had hogs for several years before looking at putting up these new grow-to-finish buildings,” said Tim Maiers, public information director for the IPPA. “With three young children, they are hoping a fourth generation will be involved in the farm.”

The Hagenbuchs operate a third-generation, circa-1933 family farm north of Utica, where they raise corn and soybeans in addition to hogs. More importantly, they are raising their children – Bella, 5, Mae, 3, and Nolan, 2 – who will attend the Mendota School District while growing up on the family farm.

“The new hog farm will bring additional economic activity to our local economy,” said Kate Hagenbuch. “We will also be adding additional tax revenue to the county, of which a large portion will go to the Mendota High School district.”

El Paso, Ill., farmer and ISA secretary Rob Shaffer attended the ceremony. “We’re (happy) for their community because we know a thriving livestock sector not only helps ensure a market for our soybeans, it’s also good for our local and state economies,” said Shaffer; the ISA works closely with Illinois’ pork and cattle industries.

“(The Hagenbuchs) planned proactively, reached out to their neighbors, informed the local papers and asked their commodity organizations, including the ISA, for help early on in the process.”

Very little opposition was voiced to the family’s plan to construct the barns, which will house pigs entering the operation at 50 pounds, that will remain until reaching market weight of 275 pounds. The Hagenbuchs declared their intention to expand their operation in the spring and received the go-ahead after a county board meeting in May.

The first shovel of dirt was turned in July. The ribbon-cutting actually marked the completion of only one barn, with the second slated for construction next spring.

“These barns will be contracted with Illini Swine, with the feed coming from JBS United through the Graymont Co-op facility,” Maiers said. “The family will basically be raising gilts that will be fed through the Illini Swine system to farmers around the area. It’s not uncommon to see young families having a contract arrangement to help with risk management for their huge investment.”

Though it is not particularly uncommon for swine operations to expand or go into service these days, the frequency of such investments has slowed in recent years. Maiers said though environmental pressure from activist groups and area residents has been a factor in slowing or stopping some new developments, the true reason for the slowdown in new facility construction lies within the market.

“The main (factor) has been the uncertainty and volatility in grain markets. Expansion ideas have been put on hold,” he noted. “Even under a contract situation, (investors) want to see where things are going. Looking at the corn crop we’re projected to have, there is a little different mindset than even a year ago.”

Kate Hagenbuch said in addition to providing for the humane needs of their animals, the new barns will be technically efficient.

“This building project is simply an expansion of our commitment to the safe and humane production of hogs. The hog barns have many technologically advanced features that increase the efficiencies of raising pigs, but will also improve the welfare of the pigs. The buildings are tunnel ventilated, which improves airflow inside the building and thus improves the pigs’ health,” Hagenbuch stated in a news release.

Also noted in the news release was the environmental stewardship the family will practice in handling manure containment. “As pork producers, we are held to a zero-discharge standard in our management of manure,” said Hagenbuch. “All of our manure is required to be completely contained in the deep pits under the barns. We will be injecting the manure to surrounding corn and soybean fields according to the crops’ needs, based on our nutrient management plan.”

Maiers said the Hagenbuch family represents the spirit of Illinois pork producers who strive to operate with innovation and “do what’s right” for their industry, their animals, their communities and the environment. “This commitment helps ensure safe and affordable pork, as well as strong rural communities throughout Illinois,” he commented.