Demonstrating farrowing alternatives for small farms: Insulated tents for sows and pigs

This project demonstrated that modifying a commercially available yurt kit for use as a farrowing facility is possible, but is likely to be cost-prohibitive for most farmers. Results from this project included a producer guide for crate-free farrowing

Adoption and Use of Digital Media in Election Campaigns: Australia, Canada and New Zealand Compared

This article examines the role of digital media in three recent national election campaigns: Australia in 2007 and Canada and New Zealand in 2008 . Examining the process of technology adoption and strategic use by parties and individual candidates, it explores similarities and differences in the use of these evolving campaigning channels. Against the current literature on variables influencing technology adoption, specific attention is given to the use of different communication channels as tools to target specific audiences, the adoption of a wide variety of technologies to ensure broad (‘mass’) reach, and the co-ordination of messages across different platforms. The analysis aims to identify structural, organisational, technological and cultural determinants of variation in the adoption and deployment of these technologies

Alternative Winter Farrowing Demonstration Project: Two-Year Summary

There is growing demand in Iowa for pigs raised outdoors or in a deep-bedded system without the use of antibiotics, growth promotants, or animal by-products. Currently, most producers selling naturally raised pork market their animals to a company that requires adherence to the Animal Welfare Institute’s (AWI) Animal Welfare Standards. One of the key components of these standards is the prohibition of farrowing crates. While a pasture farrowing system is effective during spring, summer, and fall, an alternative system is needed to farrow pigs in the winter for the naturally raised pork market

Alternative Winter Farrowing Demonstration: A Progress Report

Development of systems enabling producers to capture premiums offered by niche markets is of great interest to many Iowa farmers. Of key concern is a winter farrowing system that is both economical to operate and meets the criteria of natural pork buyers. This report details the results from the alternative winter farrowing system demonstrated at the ISU Allee Demonstration Farm near Newell during the winter of 2002/2003