Introduction to the Swine Industry National Swine Registry

Introduction to the Swine Industry

National Swine Registry Breeds “NSR” Duroc Hamp York Landrace

Duroc n n n n Originated in the United States color is varying shades of red droopy ears good mothering ability efficient feed converters fast growth rate prolificacy a meat-type hog

Hampshire n n n n Originated in England black hogs with a white belt that encircles the forepart of body, starting behind head and neck erect ears foraging ability leanness of carcass muscling used as show animals or in crossbreeding programs

Yorkshire n n n n n Originated in Yorkshire, England color is white, can have small black freckles long bodies erect ears large litters good mothering ability good feed efficiency rapid growth used as bacon-type hogs or in crossbreeding programs

Landrace n n n Origin-Denmark Ears-Large & droopy Color-White Misc. -Extremely Long Body Other. Tremendous mothering ability

Berkshire n n n Originated in Berkshire & Wiltshire Counties in England color is black with 6 white points (feet, tail, snout) erect ears medium-sized hog lean carcass

Poland China n n n n Originated in Ohio color is black with white drooping ears large breed produces carcasses with large loin eyes very little back fat commonly used in crossbreeding programs

Spot n n Origin-Ohio Ears-Droopy Color-no less than 20% or more than 80% White Misc. -Good mothers, fast gainers

Chester White n n Origin. Pennsylvania Ears-Droopy Color-White with blue freckles Misc. -good mothers, large frame

Hereford n n n Originated from the Poland China, Duroc and other breeds color is red with a white face droopy ears good mothering ability foraging ability

Swine Terms n n n Piglet n a baby pig Barrow n a male pig that was castrated at a young age Gilt n a young female pig that has not given birth or farrowed n n n Sow n an female pig that has farrowed Boar n mature male hog Farrowing n n Weaning n n Process of a sow giving birth When a pig is taken from its mother Gestation Period of time a female pig is pregnant

Why are pigs important? n Main use of swine n n 4 primary carcass cuts (most valuable meat) also called wholesale cuts. n n MEAT…. PORK picnic shoulder, ham, loin, boston shoulder Other carcass cuts (usually ground into sausage) n jowl, side, hock

Characteristics of the breeds n Prolificacy n n the ability to produce large numbers of offspring Meat-type hog n hog that produces the greatest amount of high value meat cuts

Major States in Hog Production 5. MN 9. WI 8. SD 1. IA 6. NE 2. IL 4. MO 3. IN 7. OH

Top 5 swine producing nations… n n n 1. China 2. European Union 3. United States 4. Brazil 5. Canada

Top world importers of PORK n United States is one of the world’s leading pork-producing countries. n Imports pigs mainly from Canada for finishing & harvesting!

Production Weights n Birth Weight n n Feeder Pigs n n 30 -50 pounds Slaughter Pigs n n 2 -3 pounds 275 -310 pounds Mature Pigs n n Female (sow): 300 -600 pounds Male (boar): 400 -800 pounds

Terms associated with market hogs n Meatiness n n Pedigree n n describes how much meat and fat an animal has a record of ancestry or heredity Production testing n the best way to evaluate and make predictions on an animal’s potential to be productive

What does the ideal market hog look like? SYMBOL III – Adopted in 2005 & expresses all the critical production standards!

SYMBOL III and other ideal market hogs… n The ideal market hog can produce ONE POUND of meat with 3. 4 to 3. 6 POUNDS of feed.

How do I know which hogs are better than others? n n n Selection will vary based on your personal preference and production needs Buying wrong animals could lead to failure of your business Things to look for: n n n size health type pedigree production testing

4 Types of Production Systems 1. 2. 3. 4. Sow & litter system Purebred system Feeder-pig production system Finishing feeder-pig system

Sow and Litter System n n Pigs are farrowed and fed up to slaughter weight at the same farm Housed in confinement or pasture most common swine operations Typically called “farrow to finish”

Sow and Litter Systems n n Confinement Advantages pigs can be marketed throughout the year less labor income throughout the year Disadvantage expensive startup costs n n n Pasture Advantage lower initial investment Disadvantages more labor intense production might be limited depending on season

Purebred System n n produces breeding stock that others producers will use in their systems requires intense management n n registration paperwork least common operation less than 1% of all hogs raised in the U. S. are registered purebreds are extremely important because of breed improvements

Feeder Pig Production System n n n Breed & farrow litters of piglets Farrows, weans and sells the feeder pigs keeps a breeding herd of sows that farrow between 10 -14 piglets each minimal investment is required must mange to keep a steady supply of feeder pigs to sell less feed is required in this system

Finishing Feeder-Pig System n n n Operations that buy feeder pigs and feed them until they are market weight approximately 275 -310 pounds profit is based upon how much feed it takes to produce 1 pound of pork n the less feed it takes the more profit Controlled environment buildings permit greater control of the production process, protect from weather & lower labor costs.

Pigs & the GOVERNMENT n n Public Law 87 -209 was passed in 1961 to eliminate hog cholera in the U. S. Several bills are trying to be passed by PETA to eliminate sow gestation crates.