1 The traditional extensive free range pig farm: a sustainable or an endangered production system

The extensive pig production systems located in dehesa ecosystems (rangelands of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula), are considered very important from several points of view. From an economic point of view, Iberian pig sector represents the 14.4 % of Total Agricultural Production of the regions where it is located. From an ecological point of view, extensive systems are one of the main factors that contribute to the maintenance of the dehesa agrosilvopastoral ecosystem. Finally, from the social point of view, farms and producers also play an important role in the conservation and development of a less-favored area. Nowadays, the sector is going through a structural crisis that is threatening the subsistence of many farms. The producers are making decisions that may affect the extensive traditional farming systems with the risk that it entails for the environment and for rural areas. This paper analyzes the extensive pig farms located in Extremadura (SW Spain region), identifying the different types of farms and quantifying the productive and commercial parameters that determine technico-economic results which are influencing their sustainability. Data collection was made by surveys conducted on site during 2010 and 2011 to owners and farm managers. Different indicators related to general characteristics of the farm, livestock numbers, labor, intermediate consumption, yields and product marketing were analyzed. These indicators described the whole operation, and they allowed us to identify the best strategies adopted by farmers to adapt themselves to the present market situation.The results show that the best farming strategies are based on mixed farming with beef cattle and Iberian pigs. Also, the choice of acorn fattened pigs has the best economic results, specifically in those farms without sows where only the fattening period with acorns is completed. 1.