Post-harvest Clean Up Crew: Flash-grazed Hogs in Organic Fruit Orchards

Krista Buehrer1 and Dr. Matthew Grieshop1

1 Michigan State University Entomology Department

Methods

• Three crops: cherry, pear, apple

• Two replicates– 3 grazed plots/rep– 3 ungrazed plots/rep

• Three 20m transects/plot– Ground cover measured

every meter– All fruit collected from 4

random quadrats

• Fruit weighed and insect presence evaluated

Methods

• 12 Yorkshire hogs

• Hogs relatively large, all but one over 140lbs

• Hogs rotated through plots every ~ 2 days

Plot Layout

• Plots 81 x 81 ft (0.15 acres)

• Electric rope fencing with step-in posts and t-posts at the corners

Ground Cover Results• Grass ground cover statistically the same in grazed and ungrazed plots

before the hogs (p=0.67)

• Hogs significantly decreased grass ground cover (p=0.000002)

Ground Cover Results

• Bare ground statistically the same in grazed and ungrazed plots before hogs (p=0.16)

• Hogs significantly increased bare ground cover (p=0.000005)

Ground Cover Results

• Fruit ground cover statistically the same before hogs (p=0.58)• Hogs significantly decreased fruit ground cover

(p=0.000000002)

Ground Cover Results

GrazedUngrazed

Fruit Biomass

• Fruit biomass statistically the same before hogs in grazed and ungrazed plots (p=0.28)

• Hogs significantly reduced fruit biomass (t=26.92, d.f.=4, p=0.000001)

Fruit Biomass

Conclusions

• Hogs significantly impact ground cover

• Hog are a potentially effective tool to reduce fruit biomass leftover from harvest

• Hogs may impact a few pest insects, but more in depth study is required

Conclusions• Large hogs most likely not suitable for high density

orchards or trees with shallow root systems due to heavy rooting behavior

Acknowledgements

• Gene Garthe• Jess Piskor• Phil Kavouriaris• Emily Pochubay