Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The hogs at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm are taking up a new residence, and they've promised not to stink it up.

Described by Chancellor David Markee as a "state of the art" facility, the new Pioneer Farm Swine Center is designed to provide better working conditions for students and staff, drier pig conditions and decreased odor.

"We're pretty excited about the opportunities that we've got not only from the education standpoint-the ability to really teach students hands-on, but also from the research component, the ability to do a lot of environmental research," said Alicia Prill-Adams, assistant farm director.

The facility is really one-of-a-kind in the state. Utilizing a "high-rise" composting concept, the pigs are housed in an upstairs level. Waste products fall through slats to a pit below, and air holes in the floor dry the waste.

An air pressure system powered by fans in the lower levels pits is designed to move air, and odor, down and out of the building. The high-rise concept was pioneered by Thomas Menke, an Ohio farmer, and patented by EnviroLogic.

"We've been planning this facility for almost 10 years," Prill-Adams said. "We're thinking out of the box. We're trying something non-traditional."

The public was introduced to the new facility during an open house Jan. 15.

"Liquid manure is just a real pain. It's dangerous to the people working around it, and this here is going to eliminate that problem, or a lot of it," Platteville farmer Rich Lange said.

"I think it's important to have it for the university," Lancaster pork producer Doug Wolf said. "It's something new, cutting-edge. It's something unique for this area of the country."

Although pork prices have been down, UWP's investment in the Swine Center shows a commitment to pork production.

"You see a new structure going up and you see the state and the university investing in the future of your industry-that builds excitement," College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture Dean Duane Ford said. "The research activities and the training that will happen for students as well as for youth and professionals that we can do in that building will all help contribute to a more prosperous and lively hog industry."

"Pork production is still alive in Wisconsin. Despite prices, despite dwindling numbers, pork producers have got a great attitude and they're optimistic about where they can go and what the future holds for them," Prill-Adams said.

Replacing the old swine center that was erected in 1960, the new state-of-the-art $1.4 million facility was built without state tax dollars. The UW-Platteville Foundation uniquely funded the building itself with a loan from four local banks: Anchor, Clare, First National and Mound City.

"We're very thankful to the UWP Foundation for stepping up and saying, 'This is a project that we can take on,'" Ford said.

Bob Clare of Platteville donated 30 acres of land for the site and the UW-Platteville Foundation is searching for additional donations. Some revenue will be generated from sales of pigs, and farm operators are examining the possibility of selling compost as an additional revenue source.

"We hope to have students managing the business selling the compost," School of Agriculture Director Mark Zidon said. "This will give them unique opportunities to learn and be involved in a hands-on experience."

The Pioneer Farm Swine Center will give students the opportunity to learn the most about the pork industry in a facility that's ahead of its time.

"We've got a good facility. We've got great teachers here, and we've got a lot of great students," state representative Gabe Loeffelholz said.

"It's a proud day for us," Zidon said. "It's a great day to be a Pioneer, and it's even better if you're a pig."