Raising hogs in environmentally friendly manner

By Kristin Kveno
The Land Staff Writer

May 23, 2008 03:20 am

— Just north of Hadley is Mike Haupert’s finishing barn. While looking at the building you may not immediately notice the environmental practices that Haupert — owner of M and J Farms — has implemented, but the deer, pheasants and other wildlife living around there are certainly enjoying his efforts.
When he decided to build the finishing barn that holds 3,120 hogs, there was opposition due to the fact that the barn would be built parallel to Beaver Creek and only a mile away from Hadley.
According to Haupert, finding a site was his first challenge due to all the requirements that needed to be met. He also wanted to have a facility that kept the neighbors and the community happy.
Happy they are, Haupert built his finishing barn and “put all these rows of trees around it,” he said. “It makes it look like it is part of the natural landscape.”
In fact he and his father planted 90 more trees on April 28 to add to the natural look that they have been creating since the barn was built in 2003.
The trees add wind protection but they also serve as home to many different species of animals. There is also Conservation Reserve Program land around the barn. Haupert has worked diligently in creating a natural grass habitat and will be re-seeding that CRP area this spring in hopes that more switch grass will flourish. “It’s a lot of work but worth it I think,” said Haupert who custom feeds hogs for Christensen Farms of Sleepy Eye.
When he was initially interested in planting trees, Haupert contacted Murray County and found out about a cost-share program with the Farm Service Agency. He paid for half of the initial trees and the FSA paid the other half. Other than that the rest of the conservation efforts have come from Haupert’s own pocket. He admits that it has cost him a little more to create this natural habitat but it has given him a “peace of mind.”
He is not the only one in the area trying to create more natural landscapes in and around swine operations. His friend and neighbor put three new barns up a year after Haupert did and also put trees around them.
They are not alone.
Haupert believes that more producers are taking conservation efforts seriously and that makes others happy to see the care that these producers have for the land. Seeing that care tends to make people less opposed to hog confinement expansion.
It was Haupert’s dedication to conservation and environmental practices that was recognized in March at The National Pork Board’s National Pork Industry Forum, where he was named an Environmental Steward Award winner.
When Haupert heard that he won the award he was surprised. “I didn’t think I was doing anything out of the ordinary,” he said. “We have always tried to do what is right for the environment.”
Haupert’s operation is a family affair with his son Jake helping, along with his father Harold and his brother Dan. Manure from the farm is properly turned into fertilizer for his cousin Jeff Bose’s 3,000 grain production acres.
When Haupert drives up to his finishing barn the sight of pheasants and deer on the CRP land is a scene that promotes balance between farm and the environment. Creating an environmentally friendly production site was an important goal for Haupert.
It sounds, and looks, like he succeeded.

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