7 Ways Illinois Pig Farmers Care for Pigs, People, and the Planet

How are pigs raised in Illinois?

Here are seven ways Illinois pig farmers care for their animals, their farms, and the resources they depend on — because they want to keep farming and pass their way of life on to the next generation.

1. Illinois pig farmers remain committed to advancing care for pigs

Healthy pigs have always been a top priority for Illinois pig farmers.

Farmers and their team spend every day caring for pigs and watching for changes in their health. Modern pig farms also use science, technology, and training to support animal well-being and provide pigs with the best possible care.

Pig farmers know that caring for animals is not something you can put on pause. It is part of the job every single day.

Learn more about how Illinois pig farmers care for pigs.

2. Pigs are raised in barns designed to protect them

What does a modern pig farm look like?

For many Illinois pigs, it means a climate-controlled barn.

Barns help protect pigs from Illinois’ hot summers, cold winters, and changing weather. They also help protect pigs from predators and reduce exposure to certain diseases.

The goal is simple: create a safe, comfortable environment where pigs can grow and thrive.

Take a look inside a modern Illinois pig farm.

3. Farmers pay close attention to what pigs eat

Just like people, pigs need the right nutrition to stay healthy.

Pig farmers work with animal nutrition experts to create balanced diets for pigs at every stage of life. Those diets can include ingredients such as corn and soybeans, along with vitamins and minerals.

Farmers are constantly looking for ways to improve nutrition and help pigs grow efficiently.

4. Farmers use manure to return nutrients to the soil

Yes, pig manure is part of farming.

Farmers carefully manage manure and can use it as a source of nutrients for crops. In Illinois, where crops and livestock are both important parts of agriculture, this helps connect the farm together.

Crops can help feed pigs. Manure can return nutrients to the soil.

It is one example of how farmers are working to make the most of the resources available to them.

Learn more about sustainable pork production in Illinois.

5. Farmers are working to protect Illinois soil and water

Farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water. They also know those resources need to be protected for the future.

That is why pork producers are working toward sustainability goals focused on water use, soil health, nutrient management, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Farm practices can look different from farm to farm based on local soil, weather, and local regulations. But the goal is the same: keep learning and find ways to do better.

See how pork producers are measuring sustainability progress.

6. Farmers are using modern technology to make better decisions

Today’s Illinois pig farms are not the same as they were generations ago.

Farmers use technology and data to help monitor pigs, manage feed and water, and make decisions on the farm. Modern farming practices have developed because farmers are always looking for better ways to care for their animals and use resources wisely.

Progress does not mean forgetting where farming came from. It means learning from the past and using what we know today to improve the future.

7. Farmers are thinking about the future

For Illinois pig farmers, sustainability is about more than one practice or one statistic.

It is about caring for the pigs they raise, the land they farm, and the communities where they live.

The pork industry has established goals, tracks progress, and continues to look for ways to improve. Farmers are also adapting practices to fit their individual farms and local conditions.

Because farming is not just about today; it is about making sure there is a future for the next generation of Illinois farmers.

The next time you pick up pork from the grocery store, remember there is a lot more behind it than what you see on the package.

Illinois pig farmers care deeply about the animals they raise and the resources they depend on. And they are continuing to work every day to care for pigs, people, and the planet.

Learn more about Illinois pig farmers and how pork is raised in Illinois.