Introduction to Swine Industry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf5zCXaqH4k

Economic Implications of the Swine Industry

• 96 million hogs were processed into over 17 billion pounds of pork

• 200,000 swine producers operate nationwide

• Industry generally ranks either 4th or 5th annually in terms of farm cash receipts.

• More than $11 billion worth of hogs are sold each year, with a retail value of $30 billion

• Missouri has approximately 5% of the hog operations nationwide (3,000,000 head)

• State ranks seventh in the number of hogs and pigs produced

• Mercer, Sullivan, and Putnam counties are the top 3 Missouri Counties

Commonly used Swine Terms

• Farrow: to give birth

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHM3krrV5NE

• Gilt: a young female that has not yet farrowed– No sheath and visible vulva

• Barrow: castrated male pig

• Boar: male pig used for breeding

• Sow: mature female hog

Barrow

• Sheath and no visible testicles

• Boar: mature pig used for breeding– Visible sheath and testicles

• Sow: mature female hog– Visibly distinct and fully developed vulva and

underline

• Feeder pig: gilt or barrow between weaning and finishing

• Market hog: gilt or barrow weighing from 240 to 270 pound and ready for processing

Swine Industry Evolution

• Fewer Producers: currently 200,000 compared to 3 million 30 years ago.– Why?

• Larger farms: ranging in size form 1,000 to 80,000 sows

• Change in Location: from the corn belt to North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas Kansas and Oklahoma– Why?– Manure regulations

• Focus on expanding exports– What recently has caused some problems with exports– Swine flu

Summary

• The swine industry is an important part of agricultural production in the US, accounting for over $11 billion in farm receipts annually. Swine are produced in farrow – to – finish, feeder pig, and feeder pig finishing production systems. The swine industry is changing, with hogs being produced on larger farms at diverse locations nationwide. Corporate swine production is becoming more prevalent in the industry. Due to the diversity of the industry, young people interested in working with swine have a variety of career opportunities open to them.

Corn belt map and Missouri pork map