Outdoor production
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Outdoor production is generating increasing interest. In general, outdoor piggeries:
Keep pigs in paddocks
Pigs can be kept with open deep litter shelters or basic huts
Rotate paddocks with a crop-forage-pasture phase
Have different environmental risks than conventional systems
Here you'll find support and guidance for outdoor production and best practice environmental management.
Discover and download factsheets to support you with running an outdoor piggery.
As part of our “Outdoor Production Awareness” project we created a series of videos on outdoor piggeries.
These clips were filmed at Western Plains Pork and Greta Valley Free Range Pork.
We recommend them to new outdoor producers or anyone thinking about starting an outdoor piggery.
Watch these videos to learn about:
Selecting a good site
Promoting even nutrient distribution
Land protection
Soil testing
If you operate a Free Range (FR) or Outdoor Bred (OB) system, the National Environmental Guidelines for Rotational Outdoor Piggeries provides information to manage your piggery sustainably. These guidelines are a national approach to environmental management.
The guidelines cover issues such as:
Site selection
Planning requirements
Separation and buffer distances
Pig accommodation
Paddock facilities
Nutrient budgeting
Promoting more even distribution of manure nutrients
Land and water protection measures
Mortalities management
Environmental risk assessment
Monitoring and assessment of sustainability
Nutrient management plans
The nutrient balance calculator is an easy-to-use tool that assists piggery operators to sustainably manage paddock rotations for outdoor piggeries.
The calculator helps farmers better understand the quantities of nutrients deposited, and how to utilise these effectively in cropping systems.
Visit Environmental Guidelines for further resources on:
Risk assessment
Management plans for your farm
Piggery manure and effluent management
Best practice booklets for outdoor piggeries