The Swine Industry

Objectives

Understand importance of the swine industry

Overview of the structure of the swine industry

Become familiar with termsBreeds

Swine Industry: Structural Overview

Concentrated in the MidwestArea of major corn and soybean

productionMajor feed ingredients- complementary

of each other

Corn Production

Primary Energy Source= Corn

Soybean Production

Primary Protein Source= Soybean

Concentration in Midwest

Why not expand?Environmental Issues/ConcernsWhy Midwest?

Large open land massSparse populationReceptive to agriculturePrecedent: Feedlots

Vertical Integration

What is vertical integration?Integrating several stages of production

into single management of one organization

SeedstockFarrow to FinishPacker/Processor

Sectors of the Swine Industry

Seedstock ProductionSell breeding stock (boars and gilts)Supply the genetic base for changeTraditional Producers: produce

purebred stock for use in crossbreeding programs

Hybrid: carefully orchestrated crossbred

Feeder Pig Production

Maintain breeding herdProduct sold: feeder pigs

40 to 60 lbs.2 months of age

Farrowing

Process of sow/gilt giving birthFarrowing stalls:

Protect baby pigProvide dual heat

Drip coolers for sow Heat pads/lamps for pigs

Feeder Pig Production

Production FactorsReproductive PerformanceAverage of 2.5 litters/yrWeaned litter size of 10-12 pigs21 day litter weight- reflects milk

production

Feeder Pig Production

Reproductive Traits are lowly heritableMust properly manage the environmentMinimize diseaseProvide disease adequate nutrition

Grower-Finisher Operations

Purchase Feeder PigsProduct sold: market hogs

Sold at 250 lbs5-6 months of age

Average daily Gain (ADG) 2 lbsFeed Conversion: 3 lbs of feed to 1 lb of

gain

Grower-Finisher Operations

Who’s leaner? Gilts or BarrowsWho eats more feed? Gilts or BarrowsWho grows faster? Gilts or BarrowsWho is more efficient? Gilts or Barrows

Terms

Gilt: Young FemaleSow: Mature FemaleBoar pig: Young, Intact MaleBoar: Mature, Intact MaleBarrow: Young, Castrated MaleStag: Mature, Castrated Male

Terms

Farrowing: Act of giving birthWeaning: Withdrawing young from

mother’s milk

Landrace

WhiteLong BodiedFloppy EarsMothering Ability

Berkshire

Black with 6 white pointsCarcass

Duroc

RedFloppy EarsMothering abilityGrowth Rate

Hampshire

Black with white beltErect EarsMuscle and Carcass Leaness

Spotted

Black and whiteHas Spots!Efficient Gains