An integrator is a company that controls more than one phase of hog production, processing and marketing.
Some integrators own hog farms and also contract with other farms to raise their hogs.
An integrator may also own a processing facility. Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, Inc. is the nation's largest pork integrator and, according to its annual report, is the world's largest producer and processor of hogs. The integrator owns the hogs, supplies the feed, provides veterinary services and virtually controls all aspects of hog production on the farm. Under a typical production contract, the contract farmer provides the facilities, the land and the labor and bears the sole responsibility for managing the hog waste. Integrator liability, or owner liability, simply means that the integrator shares legal liability for environmental problems on contract farms.