Tim Holmes is lead auditor and advisor, focusing on pigs. Tim holds a B.S. from East Carolina University. With more than 24 years of experience raising pigs on pasture, Tim is well-suited to inspect and verify compliance of participating farms with Animal Welfare Approved standards.  Here Tim outlines some of the technical support available for AWA farmers.

Outdoor and pasture-based farms are unique in that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Best practices for one part of the country can be worst practices for another part. This is why the Animal Welfare Approved advising and consultancy staff is such an excellent resource. Because of our consultants’ practical and educational experience and the vast resources and network of people available to them, these advisors can provide practical answers that a farmer can really use. This advice can help a farmer avoid many of the mistakes that are often so costly for a new farm, and it can help to use resources more effectively on an established farm.

A farmer may ask, “Why have a health plan?” “Why is breed selection important?” or, “What difference does it make what type of shelters and farrowing huts I use?” To use this last question as an example, I would answer that on an outdoor pig farm, it has been proven through research, and more importantly through practical experience, that English farrowing arcs are superior to any other outdoor farrowing structure. The arcs supply excellent animal welfare, demonstrated by the pigs’ ability to wean one to three more pigs per litter than those housed in A-frames or Quonset style farrowing huts. This is good information to have if you are about to invest in a farrowing system. It’s also good to know what forages provide the best grazing opportunities and what breeds and crosses do better in your area.

If you are experiencing a challenging issue and are having trouble pinpointing the cause, or if you know the cause, but are having difficulty finding a solution, the advisors and consultants of the Animal Welfare Approved program are available to help. And remember, there is no charge to apply or to participate in this program! In addition to accreditation and marketing assistance, these advising services are another valuable tool available to family farmers participating in the Animal Welfare Approved program.