Industry Code: 01400
The focus of this type of business is in the breeding, raising and maintenance of hogs/pigs. The majority of pig production is used for human food but also supply skin, fat and other materials for use as clothing, ingredients for processed foods, cosmetics and other medical uses.
Operation Details:
Hog production is a vital component of Alberta’s agricultural economy. Virtually all commercial hog production operates under intensive systems taking place in a controlled environment where the pigs are kept in buildings specialized to the farrowing, growing and finishing stages of raising market hogs. The most common hog production unit today is a specialized farrow-to-finish operation of 200 to 250 sows.
Farrow-to-finish significantly reduces productivity losses associated with stress of movement, adaptation to new environments, changing feed regimes and transmission of diseases. Also, producers can monitor the performance of animals through to maturity, thereby observing final results of breeding programs and other management practices.
Most hog farms produce their own grains and grain by-products for feed use.
The equipment used is typical of any farm, encompassing a myriad of traditional farm machinery and often specialized equipment that may be needed for feeding. Smaller scale farms may not have the diversity of specialized equipment and will rely on manual labour to a greater extent. Operations will include maintenance and repair to equipment and buildings and includes trucking of the farms own livestock or produce.
Underwriting Considerations:
Farms that clear land for the express purposes of hog farming, or cut timber or mill timber for the express purpose of building on the farm do not require additional industries. Such activities, when performed in support of the farm, are included in the hog farming industry. Permits and licenses can be used to distinguish between farming related operations and commercial logging and milling.
Farm coverage also includes limited capital construction of farm buildings. However, the appropriate construction industry should be used with significant undertakings (involving foundations and/or general contractors to manage extensive projects such as large shops and dairy/hog barns). Farm coverage is not extended to construction or renovation of residences, even where they are located on the farm and are considered as the farm office - in these cases, a separate optional application under Industry 40405 - Residential General Contractor is required.
Hog farming businesses may be involved in other business activities which are not integral to a traditional hog farming operation. Hog farming businesses engaged in value added processing, custom or contract work, other than an exchange of services, will require an appropriate classification for such operations, separate from the hog farming industry.
When determining if an additional classification is required, policy 07-01, part II should be reviewed.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Hog Producers/Farming
Pig farming
Swine farming
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. The Small Animal Producers/Handlers rate group encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of smaller animals.
Effective January 31, 2020, farm and ranch employers with six or more waged non-family workers can choose to have their workplace insurance coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act or through a private insurance provider. Employers are not required to have workplace insurance if they have five or fewer non-family workers, or hire workers for less than six consecutive months.
The focus of this type of business is in the breeding, raising and maintenance of hogs/pigs. The majority of pig production is used for human food but also supply skin, fat and other materials for use as clothing, ingredients for processed foods, cosmetics and other medical uses.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Hog Producers/Farming
Pig farming
Swine farming
Operation Details:
Hog production is a vital component of Alberta’s agricultural economy. Virtually all commercial hog production operates under intensive systems taking place in a controlled environment where the pigs are kept in buildings specialized to the farrowing, growing and finishing stages of raising market hogs. The most common hog production unit today is a specialized farrow-to-finish operation of 200 to 250 sows.
Farrow-to-finish significantly reduces productivity losses associated with stress of movement, adaptation to new environments, changing feed regimes and transmission of diseases. Also, producers can monitor the performance of animals through to maturity, thereby observing final results of breeding programs and other management practices.
Most hog farms produce their own grains and grain by-products for feed use.
The equipment used is typical of any farm, encompassing a myriad of traditional farm machinery and often specialized equipment that may be needed for feeding. Smaller scale farms may not have the diversity of specialized equipment and will rely on manual labour to a greater extent. Operations will include maintenance and repair to equipment and buildings and includes trucking of the farms own livestock or produce.
Underwriting Considerations:
Farms that clear land for the express purposes of hog farming, or cut timber or mill timber for the express purpose of building on the farm do not require additional industries. Such activities, when performed in support of the farm, are included in the hog farming industry. Permits and licenses can be used to distinguish between farming related operations and commercial logging and milling.
Farm coverage also includes limited capital construction of farm buildings. However, the appropriate construction industry should be used with significant undertakings (involving foundations and/or general contractors to manage extensive projects such as large shops and dairy/hog barns). Farm coverage is not extended to construction or renovation of residences, even where they are located on the farm and are considered as the farm office - in these cases, a separate optional application under Industry 40405 - Residential General Contractor is required.
Hog farming businesses may be involved in other business activities which are not integral to a traditional hog farming operation. Hog farming businesses engaged in value added processing, custom or contract work, other than an exchange of services, will require an appropriate classification for such operations, separate from the hog farming industry.
When determining if an additional classification is required, policy 07-01, part II should be reviewed.
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. The Small Animal Producers/Handlers rate group encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of smaller animals.
Effective January 31, 2020, farm and ranch employers with six or more waged non-family workers can choose to have their workplace insurance coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act or through a private insurance provider. Employers are not required to have workplace insurance if they have five or fewer non-family workers, or hire workers for less than six consecutive months.