Annual farrowings totaled one million litters in 1995 with an average litter size of 8.6 weaned pigs. Young pigs must be maintained in a comfortable environment, which translates into heating and ventilation costs. Transporting the state s 7.0 million finished hogs to market requires another 1.41 million gallons of diesel. Slaughtering livestock is a rather standard process with common features regardless of the animal being butchered. The hide or feathers, entrails, and blood are removed, and the carcasses chilled.
All species require automated equipment, conveyors, and coolers.
Steam heat is often used in cleanup tasks. The two principal energy sources in all kill facilities are electricity and natural gas. In 1995, Minnesota s production of slaughtered hogs totaled 2.0 billion pounds and required 740,000 Mcf of natural gas and more than 74.8 million kWh of electricity to process. Beef Cattle enterprises can also be characterized by stages in the animal s life cycle. Some operators specialize in raising calves up to about 500 pounds.