Harter Family

Meet the Harter Family

 

Family History

•    Doug is the fourth generation of Harters to farm and raise pigs.
•    Doug, and his wife Kim, plus children: Kelsey, who is an LPN, and boys Bryce, Cayden and Camden who help with the pigs.
•    Kim is a physical therapist assistant and enjoys helping on the farm when she can.
•    Their farm is diverisfied with corn, soybeans and pigs.
•    Doug has been raising pigs for the Maschhoffs for 7 years as a feeder pig operation.
•    The wean to finish barn will be a new adventure for he Harter family.

 

Construction and Operation Oversight

•    The barn will be home to 2,480 head of pigs.
•    It is oriented East/West and measures 101’ x 193’.
•    This barn is a solid-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.

 

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 Western Community Unit School District #12.
•    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 and feed bins from AP, Assumption.
•    Electric for the barn installed by RMG Electric, Pittsfield.
•    Rock was sourced from the Callender Quarry, Griggsville.
•    Propane and gas lines installed by Prairieland FS.
•    Gates and feeders from Farmweld, Teutopolis.
•    Concrete for construction sourced from Pike County Concrete, Pittsfield.
•    Construction of the barn by Longhorn Confinements, Pittsfield.
•    Lumber and metal sourced from Pike County Lumber, Pittsfield.