Austin Betzold

 

Meet Austin Betzold

 

Family History

•    Austin is a 5th generation farmer.
•    Attended Lake Land College then Iowa State University to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Studies with an Agronomy Minor.
•    He farms alongside his father, Bruce.
•    Their family farm just received the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years.
•    He also raises 170 head of purebred angus cattle and grows corn and soybeans.

 

Construction and Operation Oversight

•    The barn will be home to 2,450 head of pigs.
•    It is oriented East/West and measures 81’ x 241’.
•    The barn has been constructed per stringent standards set forth by the Livestock Management Facilities Act (LMFA) governed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).
•    IDOA representatives inspected the farm before, during and after construction.
•    Once in operation, the farm must continue to comply with the IL Environmental Protection Act, enforced by the IL EPA.

 

The Pigs

•    Pigs will enter the barns weighing around 12 pounds, where they will be housed for six months until they reach market weight of approximately 280 pounds.
•    They will have full access to feed and water.
•    Computer controlled ventilation will properly control the temperature and humidity levels in the barns to give the pigs a comfortable environment.

 

Local Economic Benefits

•    The hog farm will support jobs in the community pertaining to the construction of the barn, milling and delivery of feed, and transporting the pigs.
•    A large percentage of local tax revenues will go to Nokomis CUSD #2.
•    This hog farm will produce over 320,000 (5-7 oz.) pork chops and over 5 million slices of bacon per year, feeding the local community and beyond!
•    In one year, the pigs will consume approximately 40,000 bushels of corn and 6,000 bushels of soybeans, grown by local farmers.

 

Materials Sourced From Illinois Businesses

•    Feed systems from AP, Assumption.
•    Electric for the barn installed by B K Electric, Griggsville.
•    Rock was bought locally from the Nokomis Quarry.
•    Propane from South Central FS.
•    Gates and feeders from Farmweld, Teutopolis.
•    Feed bins from Schuld-Bushnell, Bushnell.
•    Concrete for construction sourced from Poggenpohl Redi Mix, Raymond.