Swine production

Swine production Three types of swine production enterprises are farrow- to-finish, farrow-to-feeder, and feeder-to-finish. No single blueprint exists for these systems.

The major production systems of the swine industry are farrow-to-finish production, feeder pig production, and feeder pig finishing. Farrow-to-finish swine production is the most common type of production. It covers the entire production process, from breeding to sales of market hogs
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the type of swine production enterprise. Finishing hogs to market

weight is one swine production enterprise option. (Photo by Kaytee Norris and Emily McConnell
Finishing hogs to market weight is one swine production enterprise option. (Photo by Kaytee Norris and Emily McConnell

Will you breed and farrow sows, then sell or raise their offspring? Or will you raise purchased pigs to market weight, which is much easier to manage. Three phases of swine production are breeding, farrowing and post-weaning (grow-out period prior to slaughter). Each of these phases requires special knowledge, good observation skills and attention to detail. Heat detection, breeding, and farrowing sows takes quite a bit of management skill. In the early post-weaning phase, it is essential that pigs are comfortable and that they begin eating solid feed early. Thus, the first couple of weeks after weaning are important. The input costs in the grow-finish phase are high because of the high feed intake of growing pigs. But, it’s important to recognize that once pigs are past the post weaning phase, managing the grower finisher pigs is not as demanding as getting sows bred, caring for new born pigs, or managing pigs through the weaning period. Requirements to Raise Pigs
You’ll need a few things to profitably raise pigs. First and foremost is time. It takes commitment to breed, farrow, and feed pigs. There’s usually something that need to be done every day. Sows especially need daily care and tending. Next you’ll need a place to keep your pigs. We’ll discuss more about precise requirements later in the course, but you need a barn, pen, or pasture with electrified fencing to keep pigs from roaming the neighborhood. You’ll also need access to feed. Most local feed mills carry commercial pig feed. It’s much easier and may be just as economical to purchase pre-made feed that’s formulated by a professional nutritionist. If you choose to mix your own feed, you’ll need access to ground grain (corn, oats, or barley), soybean meal, vitamins and minerals as well as a mixer to manufacture your own feed. Speaking of feed, a single finishing pig from 50-250 pounds requires about 600 pounds of feed. A single sow will eat about 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of feed per year. Nursery pigs don’t eat very much feed from weaning to 50 pounds, but for best performance, that feed should include some fairly expensive ingredients like dried whey, fish meal, or rolled oats. The reason for the special ingredients is that baby pigs’ digestive systems don’t digest corn and soybean meal very well.

22/02/2023

Camelpox is an extremely infectious skin disorder and the most common infectious viral illness of camels, occurring in most regions where camel farming is common. The camelpox virus (CMLV; genus Orthopoxvirus, family Poxviridae), the cause of this infectious disease, is closely related to the variola virus. The genes associated with viral replication activities and most of those important in additional host-related processes are identical in the two viruses
Symptoms of camelpox are fever, skin lesions, and lymph node inflammation. Pox lesions of different stages may form, most notably on the face, throat, and near the tail. The disease may be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, although camel contagious ecthyma and camel papillomatosis induce similar symptoms . Multiple diagnostic methods are available, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the most rapid diagnostic tool for detecting the characteristic, brick-shaped orthopoxvirus in tissue samples or skin lesions . Immunohistochemistry can also be informative. PCR may be used to confirm the presence of viral nucleic acid, and DNA restriction enzyme testing can be used to identify specific strains of the CMLV
Prevention and control The infection, like smallpox in humans, may be controlled by separating diseased camels and injecting the remainder with the standard vaccinia virus vaccine or the recently developed CMLV vaccine, available live attenuated and inactivated. A booster vaccine dose is recommended for young camelids inoculated before 6–9 months. The inactivated vaccine can be injected yearly , and the live attenuated vaccine provides long-term protection.
A live attenuated candidate vaccine was produced in Sudan using a local strain of CMLV and assessed in a small-scale field study for safety and efficacy in experimental camels . Most tests revealed that the proposed vaccine is effective, safe, and can control the infection. Most vaccines are produced from the CMLV strains Ducapox 298/89, Jouf-78, VD47/25, and CMLV-T8. The attenuated Jouf-78 strain has been found to provide complete protection against CMLV (17). A new vaccine developed from serial multiplication of the KM-40 virus strain on the chorioallantoic membranes of 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs has the potential to protect against camelpox in Old World camelids (Camelus dromedaries and Camelus bactrianus)
Treatment General non-specific treatment for infected camels is the administration of 10 mg/kg oxytetracycline and 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam for 5 days . A spray containing gamma benzene hexachloride, proflavine hemisulphate, cetrimide, eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil, and neem oil can also be used for wound therapy and fly control . Other ethnopharmacological applications are also widely used to treat camelpox . In humans, cidofovir would likely be beneficial in the treatment and short-term prevention of smallpox and kindred poxvirus infections, as well as the treatment of vaccinia sequelae in immunocompromised individuals Cidovir and its acyclic nucleoside phosphonate derivatives have shown promising therapeutic potency against camelpox

Three Enterprises and CharacteristicsThree types of swine production enterprises are farrow- to-finish, farrow-to-feeder...
22/02/2023

Three Enterprises and Characteristics
Three types of swine production enterprises are farrow- to-finish, farrow-to-feeder, and feeder-to-finish. No single blueprint exists for these systems. Designing a production system that will complement your resources and lifestyle is the most important component to determining the best production system for you.

To determine which enterprise will work best in your situation, you must first consider the following:

Amount of capital, labor, and land available
Level of management and marketing skill needed
Social and environmental implications associated with manure management
Farrow-to-Finish
A farrow-to-finish enterprise involves breeding and farrowing sows, and feeding the offspring until they reach a market weight of about 280 pounds. The entire production period takes approximately 10 months, with 4 months for breeding and gestation and 6 months to raise the litter to market weight. Of the three systems, farrow-to-finish has the greatest long-run market potential and flexibility. This system also demands the most capital and labor, and requires a long-term commitment to the swine business. A small number of sows can fit into a crop operation nicely when farrowings are scheduled to avoid peak harvest times. With the current focus on animal welfare, most new farrow- to-finish operations are designed to hold gestating sows in pens rather than crates, which may increase the capital required for sow housing.

Farrow-to-Feeder
A farrow-to-feeder enterprise involves breeding and farrowing sows and then selling the piglets to finishing operations when they weigh 30 to 60 pounds. Compared to a farrow-to-finish operation, this option decreases the need for facilities, operating capital, and the amount of feed and manure handled. It also provides a good foundation for increasing the number of sows or expanding into a farrow-to-finish operation. The biggest drawback of this system is that producers, especially those with small herds, are at the mercy of a volatile feeder pig market. This may require farrowing sows in groups to increase the number of pigs available during periods of high demand.

Feeder-to-Finish
Most feeder-to-finish enterprises buy feeder pigs weighing 30 to 60 pounds and feed them to market weight. In many cases, existing facilities are adequate for this system. This system allows for minimum overhead, low labor requirements, and no long-term commitment. The feeder-to-finish operation offers an opportunity for a grain farmer to use homegrown feeds to finish pigs without having to manage breeding stock. The operation also may capitalize on the fertilizer value of the manure. Important points of concern are the source, health, and quality of purchased feeder pigs. Ideally, all feeder pigs should originate from a single farm to reduce potential herd health problems.

Feeding
Feed is the major expense of any swine production system. In general, a farrow-to-finish operation will spend 75 percent of its total expenses on feed, compared to 50 percent for farrow-to-feeder operations, and 65 percent for feeder- to-finish operations.

Example swine diets are presented in Table 1, but they will vary depending on your management program, feed quality, and the condition of the animals.
Growing your own grain, making bulk purchases of additional ingredients, and using your own grinder and mixer (or hiring the work done in some situations) are effective ways to lower feed costs. However, adequate storage for large quantities of feed ingredients is necessary.

One major consideration in planning a swine enterprise is how to get feed to the pigs. Ideally, animals in farrowing, gestation, and nursery units should be hand-fed and those in the growing-finishing units could get their feed from automatic augers.

10/08/2022

The SDSU swine herd consists of 150-sows managed in five groups with 30 sows/group. The production system is designed for batch farrowing every 4 weeks and weaning at 21 days of age.
Sow Teaching and Intensive Research Complex
The Sow Teaching and Intensive Research Complex serves as the hub of the teaching, research and Extension outreach activities for the SDSU swine program. A 50-seat modern classroom with education technology solutions also features portable pens at the front of the room, allowing pigs to be brought into the classroom to support teaching and discussion.
Viewing Windows and Raised Hallway
Observation windows and an elevated walkway enhance public outreach by allowing visitors to the facilities to view aspects of the modern production process—from boar collection and breeding to gestation and farrowing, without having to “shower in.” The viewing windows help fulfill SDSU’s mission of providing teaching, research and Extension opportunities to the general public, and to “demystify” pork production.

24/11/2021

Sale of feeder pigs to finishing pig producers
Livestock auctions
Graded feeder pig sales
Slaughter hog sales to packer buying stations
Direct sales to major packing plants
Small packers/processors
Specialty sales direct to consumers
Feeder Pig Marketing
All of these marketing options are available to feeder pig producers. One of the most popular options is marketing directly to producers who finish pigs. This option has advantages for both parties. First, the buyer and seller know the price and delivery conditions in advance. Second, the direct-sale option reduces animal stress and disease risk. Third, the direct-to-finisher transaction voids commissions associated with a livestock auction.

Marketing feeder pigs through a livestock auction, graded sale, or buying station is another common option. Before using these markets, you should know the desirable weights and lot sizes that garner the highest price.

Slaughter Hog Marketing
Buying stations and direct sales to a major packer are popular options for marketing slaughter hogs. In both cases, producers are quoted a price before the sale is finalized.

Small packers and processors are an additional market available to slaughter hog producers. They often pay a good price, but their plant capacity and number of customers restrict the number of hogs they buy.

An auction barn is another option for selling slaughter hogs. Producers often use this market because of its location and convenience. The disadvantage of marketing through an auction barn is that producers are at the mercy of the supply and demand for hogs at the local market on that day. Prices may be well below or well above the national price on any given day and the producer must take the highest bid price. Auction barns also charge a commission regardless of the final bid price.

Specialty markets represent another alternative for slaughter hog producers. A popular form of direct sale enables the consumer to buy directly from a producer. The consumer then contracts with a small packer for customized meat cutting and packaging.

In summary, choosing a market involves doing your homework. When comparing market alternatives, you must account for differences in price received, transportation expenses, shrink losses, selling costs, and convenience. A market 50 miles farther from the farm that offers a higher price may in fact produce less net revenue than selling locally at a lower price when all marketing costs are included. You must know your alternatives and stay current with price trends and market preferences.

Three Enterprises and Characteristics
Three types of swine production enterprises are farrow- to-finish, farrow-to-feeder, and feeder-to-finish. No single blueprint exists for these systems. Designing a production system that will complement your resources and lifestyle is the most important component to determining the best production system for you.

To determine which enterprise will work best in your situation, you must first consider the following:

Amount of capital, labor, and land available
Level of management and marketing skill needed
Social and environmental implications associated with manure management
Farrow-to-Finish
A farrow-to-finish enterprise involves breeding and farrowing sows, and feeding the offspring until they reach a market weight of about 280 pounds. The entire production period takes approximately 10 months, with 4 months for breeding and gestation and 6 months to raise the litter to market weight. Of the three systems, farrow-to-finish has the greatest long-run market potential and flexibility. This system also demands the most capital and labor, and requires a long-term commitment to the swine business. A small number of sows can fit into a crop operation nicely when farrowings are scheduled to avoid peak harvest times. With the current focus on animal welfare, most new farrow- to-finish operations are designed to hold gestating sows in pens rather than crates, which may increase the capital required for sow housing.

Farrow-to-Feeder
A farrow-to-feeder enterprise involves breeding and farrowing sows and then selling the piglets to finishing operations when they weigh 30 to 60 pounds. Compared to a farrow-to-finish operation, this option decreases the need for facilities, operating capital, and the amount of feed and manure handled. It also provides a good foundation for increasing the number of sows or expanding into a farrow-to-finish operation. The biggest drawback of this system is that producers, especially those with small herds, are at the mercy of a volatile feeder pig market. This may require farrowing sows in groups to increase the number of pigs available during periods of high demand.

Feeder-to-Finish
Most feeder-to-finish enterprises buy feeder pigs weighing 30 to 60 pounds and feed them to market weight. In many cases, existing facilities are adequate for this system. This system allows for minimum overhead, low labor requirements, and no long-term commitment. The feeder-to-finish operation offers an opportunity for a grain farmer to use homegrown feeds to finish pigs without having to manage breeding stock. The operation also may capitalize on the fertilizer value of the manure. Important points of concern are the source, health, and quality of purchased feeder pigs. Ideally, all feeder pigs should originate from a single farm to reduce potential herd health problems.

Feeding
Feed is the major expense of any swine production system. In general, a farrow-to-finish operation will spend 75 percent of its total expenses on feed, compared to 50 percent for farrow-to-feeder operations, and 65 percent for feeder- to-finish operations.

Example swine diets are presented in Table 1, but they will vary depending on your management program, feed quality, and the condition of the animals. A summary of production inputs and manure output for different types of swine enterprise is listed in
Growing your own grain, making bulk purchases of additional ingredients, and using your own grinder and mixer (or hiring the work done in some situations) are effective ways to lower feed costs. However, adequate storage for large quantities of feed ingredients is necessary.
One major consideration in planning a swine enterprise is how to get feed to the pigs. Ideally, animals in farrowing, gestation, and nursery units should be hand-fed and those in the growing-finishing units could get their feed from automatic augers.

24/11/2021

Dermatitis/Exudative Epidermitis /Eczema/Hyperkeratosis in Göttingen Minipigs
In the Göttingen minipig, a condition resembling exudative epidermitis of production swine is well known. In the Göttingen minipig the condition is sometimes called eczema or hyperkeratosis of the Göttingen minipig to differentiate it from the exudative epidermitis caused by Staphylococcus hyicus. It is recommended that the name hyperkeratosis should not be used unless a histological diagnosis of hyperkeratosis has been confirmed.

The condition is most often seen in younger minipigs (3–4 months or younger); however, is sometimes encountered in older minipigs as well. Black scabs usually develop on the head first, and may or may not progress to become more generalized.

Exudative epidermitis in the production pigs is caused by toxin-producing Staphylococcus hyicus, but it has not been possible to associate the condition seen in Göttingen minipigs with any primary infectious agent to date. Furthermore, the general health of the minipigs is rarely affected, whereas piglets with exudative epidermitis caused by S. hyicus often show signs of clinical disease. Candida albicans may sometimes be isolated from the lesions, but it is a part of the normal cutaneous flora of the Göttingen minipig and is not always isolated in these cases. Therefore, Candida is not considered to be the cause of the condition. However, in some cases the involvement of Candida may cause the clinical condition to become more severe.

In the minipig, the condition is normally self-limiting and the lesions often heal more or less completely within a couple of months. The skin in the affected areas may be slightly redder after recovery relative to the normal skin color. Minipigs with a history of dermatitis and a difference in skin color due to the condition typically should be excluded from dermal toxicity and wound-healing studies.

24/11/2021

Advantages of deep bedded cold barn systems
The primary economic advantages of tarp-covered cold barns for swine production result from low capital investment and fixed costs and from some reduction in certain operational costs. Of all the fixed costs of swine production, those for construction and maintenance of the buildings stand out as the most significant.

Hoop barns are relatively cheaper and simpler to erect and can be easily constructed by the farmer (Onan et al., 2016; Hutu, 2005). For example, gestation units (without the specific gestation equipment) cost around 15,000 euro. Addition of feeding stalls raises the price to about 25,000 euro, but use of feeding stalls cuts total feed usage by 4.5% and allows for more effective control of sow body condition by allowing tailored feeding of each animal (Brewer et al., 1999).

Grow/finish units cost from 10,000 to 17,000 euro or about 50–85 euro per animal space, which is ¼ to ½ the cost of a conventional unit (Brumm et al., 1997; Kruger, 2006).

Some of the variable costs of operating a hoop housing system are also lower than conventional. These include reduced expenditure for electricity for lighting and ventilation, reduced fuel expense for heating, and lower property taxes and insurance fees. There is also the advantage of using home-grown grains and bedding materials for the system.

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