Harter Family
Barry, IL
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.