Case Studies
Yoshichiku EM Pork, Pursuing the Safety of Customers
Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
Overview
Yoshitama Chikusan Co., Ltd. has been raising pigs using EM materials instead of chemicals for more than 17 years in Miyazaki Prefecture. Yoshitama Chikusan uses EM for both feed and bedding to produce high-quality EM pork that is highly praised by local chefs. Some chefs highlighted characteristics such as smooth, light, and non-smelly fat, strong flavor, good consistency, and extended freshness when frozen and defrosted.
Yoshitama Chikusan Co., Ltd. has been raising pigs using EM materials instead of chemicals for more than 17 years in Miyazaki Prefecture. Yoshitama Chikusan uses EM for both feed and bedding to produce high-quality EM pork that is highly praised by local chefs. Some chefs highlighted characteristics such as smooth, light, and non-smelly fat, strong flavor, good consistency, and extended freshness when frozen and defrosted.
・Photo on the right: Lunch plate (Photo by Cafe viola)
Facing Chemical Issues
There have been times when not using chemicals has resulted in the spread of disease and the death of many pigs. Chemical use was easy to solve the problem, but they wanted to compromise on providing healthy meat to gain the trust of their customers. So they gradually stopped using chemicals while raising pigs, starting two months before delivery, then three months before, and so on. In 1989, they opened a direct sales center on their property to deliver the pigs they had raised with great care directly to customers. The reason they started using EM, was that their daughter was sick and they were concerned about her illness, medications, and food. The idea that health was a top priority for both pigs and humans led them to start using EM.
There have been times when not using chemicals has resulted in the spread of disease and the death of many pigs. Chemical use was easy to solve the problem, but they wanted to compromise on providing healthy meat to gain the trust of their customers. So they gradually stopped using chemicals while raising pigs, starting two months before delivery, then three months before, and so on. In 1989, they opened a direct sales center on their property to deliver the pigs they had raised with great care directly to customers. The reason they started using EM, was that their daughter was sick and they were concerned about her illness, medications, and food. The idea that health was a top priority for both pigs and humans led them to start using EM.
EM Application
They use homemade EM Bokashi mixed with chemical-free formula feed to raise their pigs. Pigs are not given hormones in their feed, which results in a longer growth rate of about one to two months, and increases the cost of feed. However, their priority is to raise pigs naturally and provide food that is safe for human consumption. They also add EM to the bedding by mixing rice husks and rice bran. Moreover, they enjoy farming a small vegetable garden while reusing the pig manure that came out of their piggery.
They use homemade EM Bokashi mixed with chemical-free formula feed to raise their pigs. Pigs are not given hormones in their feed, which results in a longer growth rate of about one to two months, and increases the cost of feed. However, their priority is to raise pigs naturally and provide food that is safe for human consumption. They also add EM to the bedding by mixing rice husks and rice bran. Moreover, they enjoy farming a small vegetable garden while reusing the pig manure that came out of their piggery.
・Photo on the right: "you can actually eat the feed. We are trying to raise our pigs on feed that we can eat.", says the owner.
・Photo on the right: Yoshitama's pigs are full of energy.
Effects and Results
・The bad odor has been eliminated to the point where people ask, "Where's the pig barn?" Before using EM, the odor was so strong that workers had to change clothes and take a shower before having lunch. But today, they can work in the same clothes all day long.
・By using EM Bokashi mixed with the pig feed as well as using EM for the bedding, the odor from pig manure decreased remarkably.
・Improving the living conditions of pigs by reducing odors and providing safe feed can lead to improved gut health. Pigs are less susceptible to disease, have a good appetite, and are full of energy, resulting in meat quality and increasing popularity.
・Pigs are raised in steel cages, but the use of EM can provide a better environment that is closer to a natural one.
・A customer who has been buying Yoshitama Chikusan's pork for more than 20 years says, "Since they started using EM, the fat has changed from 'fat with no smell' to 'sweet fat’.
・The owner's dream is to be able to sell also the organs of EM pigs in the future.
・They can safely reuse pig manure as a fertilizer for growing vegetables.
・The bad odor has been eliminated to the point where people ask, "Where's the pig barn?" Before using EM, the odor was so strong that workers had to change clothes and take a shower before having lunch. But today, they can work in the same clothes all day long.
・By using EM Bokashi mixed with the pig feed as well as using EM for the bedding, the odor from pig manure decreased remarkably.
・Improving the living conditions of pigs by reducing odors and providing safe feed can lead to improved gut health. Pigs are less susceptible to disease, have a good appetite, and are full of energy, resulting in meat quality and increasing popularity.
・Pigs are raised in steel cages, but the use of EM can provide a better environment that is closer to a natural one.
・A customer who has been buying Yoshitama Chikusan's pork for more than 20 years says, "Since they started using EM, the fat has changed from 'fat with no smell' to 'sweet fat’.
・The owner's dream is to be able to sell also the organs of EM pigs in the future.
・They can safely reuse pig manure as a fertilizer for growing vegetables.
Photo on the right: Some vegetables planted in front of Yoshitama's house.
(2017/8/30)
