Defenbaugh Family
Blackstone, IL
Meet the Defenbaugh Family
Family History
• Kevin and his wife, Tabitha, have two children, Guy and Callie.
• Kevin is a sixth generation farmer and the first to raise pigs commerically.
• Tabitha works for the township and also helps on the farm.
• The Defenbaugh family raises corn, soybeans, wheat and cattle.
• The pig barn will diversify the farm and open opportunities for future generations.
Construction and Operation Oversight
• The barn will be home to 2,496 head of pigs.
• It is oriented North/West and measures 102 ’ x198’.
• This barn is a curtain-sided, tunnel ventilation barn.
• 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.
• Kevin and Tabitha will both complete the Certified Livestock Managers certification.
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.
• Select gilts from this barn will move to a sow farm for breeding.
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 Woodland Cusd #5.
• 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
• Electric for the barn installed byT & S Quick Enterprises, Blackstone.
• Propane and taks sourced from Dibble Propane, Gardner.
• Gas lines installed by Jacob Rinkenberger, Forrest.