Paul counts himself lucky to be in the pig business after the disastrous markets of the late '90s. He is thankful for his five main customers who take the bulk of gilts on a rotating schedule from his 600-sow Yorkshire breeding stock farm, called Neher Acres. He had to drop his breeding stock prices considerably to sell anything in the winter of 1998-99. Paul has always had the philosophy that if his seedstock business dried up, he would have pigs that would grow in a commercial setting. There is a fine line between leanness and productivity, he says.
Volume is also important in the pig business.
Paul had 150 sows until 1994. He grew to 300 sows, then 600 by 1998. He is concerned about the massive growth by some hog companies in Iowa, pointing out five sites within 10 miles of his farm where companies are building finishing units. I'm not sure yet how this will affect us, but I don't think it's good. All their crops are planted no-till.