TECHNOLOGIES OF THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PORK (review)
Authors: Zasukha Ludmila , Ivanov Volodymyr , Onyshchenko Andrii , Fomichenko Mykhailo , Petulko Pavlo 
Published: December 2023

Goal. To summarize the domestic and world experience of the organic pork
production technology. Methods. General scientific methods (classification, typology)
were used, a structural-systemic approach was applied, as well as a source analysis
and synthesis. The results. The production of organic pork takes place according to
three systems: open, closed and mixed ones. The open system of organic pork
production involves housing animals year-round in light-type houses. Under such a
system, animals have constant access to green fodder, turf, insects, and worms, they
show better natural behavior, which overall has a positive effect on their health and
well-being. The mixed system of organic pork production involves housing suckling
sows in premises equipped with farrowing machines, followed by their transfer with
piglets to light-type houses on pasture and feeding with concentrated, green and
coarse fodder (straw, hay). In the cold period, the fattening young pigs are housed in
a light-type premise, where the front side is covered with a metal mesh, and in the
warm period, they are transferred to the houses on the pasture. A review of literature
sources on pork production in organic pig farming highlighted a number of
problematic issues that need to be resolved. Thus, the open and combined systems of
organic pig breeding in Ukraine today, as a result of the epidemiological situation
that arose as a result of cases of African plague, practically cannot be used, although
there are prerequisites for their further development and they are waiting for the
lifting of quarantine restrictions. The closed system of organic pork production, which
involves housing animals year-round in premises on straw bedding with walking
areas and feeding them with concentrated and partly rough forage (straw, hay), has
much greater possibilities compared to open and combined systems. But it does not
provide animals with green fodder and does not protect animals from infectious
disease agents such as zoophilous flies, ticks, and birds. In addition, a closed system
does not address the deep utilization and recycling of pig waste products. Therefore,
there is a need to improve the closed system by expanding its functionality. In our
opinion, a closed system should provide deep processing of pig waste products, their
recycling and energy-saving, waste-free production of organic pork. Conclusions.
The open system of organic pig breeding is practically impossible to use, although
there are prerequisites for their further development when quarantine restrictions are
lifted. The combined system of organic pig breeding makes it possible to obtain high
productivity and quality products. With such a system, better preservation of suckling
piglets is achieved, but it also does not ensure the biosecurity of animals. The closed
system of organic pork production today has significantly greater opportunities
compared to open and combined systems. But it does not provide animals with green
fodder and does not protect animals from infectious disease agents such as zoophilous
flies, ticks, and birds. In addition, the closed system does not solve the deep utilization
and recycling of pig waste products.
Key words: organic pig breeding, pigs, open system, closed system, mixed
system, pork production.