Does the activity of producer group organizations improve the production of pigs?

There are many works dealing with the activities of small farms, however there is a lack of papers about production and economic performance of small farms associated in producer group organizations. The aim of the study was to compare the production parameters of selected pig producer groups over two years (2010-2011). The basis for the analysis were the results of surveys carried out in 174 individual farms, which were members of 4 groups of pig producers. The study was conducted through direct interviews using a personal questionnaire. The average herd size of sows increased in the next year by 18.5% and the average annual production volume of fatteners by 9.3%. Average meatiness increased from 53.8% to 54.5%. In order to estimate the revenues a model of factors dependent on the farmer was created, expressed as the production of 1 kg of raw material. Three independent variables were introduced into the model: meatiness of fatteners (X₁), the size of produced fatteners (X₂), weight of fatteners (X₃). The model developed in the study was proposed to groups as a tool to measure the efficiency of production and is currently being used by them. The results indicate that the activities of pig producers have a positive effect on production effectiveness and confirms the validity of horizontal integration in agriculture. Managing production in accordance with the statute imposed on the producer group showed a similar quality of produced raw materials, while the average annual sales of fatteners increased, which may contribute to the ability to negotiate purchase prices.