Pork Production and Management

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to pork production and management, designed to assist in exam preparation.

Feeder pigs

Pigs weighing 40 – 70 pounds, approximately 9 weeks old.

Market Hogs

Pigs weighing 250 – 300 pounds, approximately 27 weeks old.

Thermal Comfort Zone

The temperature range where animals do not need to expend extra energy to regulate body temperature.

Rough floors

Floors that can lead to tow pad lesions in pigs.

Partially slotted floors

Floors that allow more than 1/3 void space.

Solid floors

Floors sloped at 0.5 to 1.0 inch per foot.

Water intake ratio

Water intake should equal 2 times the feed intake.

Aisle configurations

Designs for pen/building with varying aisle layouts.

Daily Fat Free Lean Gain

The amount of lean weight gained by pigs in pounds per day.

Commercial Average Daily Gain (ADG)

The mean daily weight gain of pigs, measured in pounds.

Split Sex Feeding

Feeding strategy where barrows are fed differently than gilts due to different growth rates.

Standardized ileal amino acid digestibility (SID)

A measure of how efficiently pigs can digest amino acids from their feed.

Phase Feeding

Feeding strategy based on the age and weight of pigs to optimize growth.

Pigs' energy requirements

Energy needs of pigs typically measured in Mcal/lb.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Key minerals in nutrition; phosphorus is the third most expensive ingredient.

Swine Influence Virus

A viral disease affecting pigs' respiratory systems.

Ileitis

Disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis affecting the intestines of pigs.

Daily fat gain

The amount of fat gained by pigs measured in pounds per day.

Feed/Gain ratio

The amount of feed required for a pig to gain one pound.

Sick pen

A designated area in a barn to isolate ill pigs from the healthy population.

Bacteriological infections

Diseases caused by bacteria, such as MPS and PRRS.

Environmental concerns

Issues arising from nutrient excretions, particularly phosphorus, related to pig farming.

Lean carcasses

Carcasses with a high percentage of lean meat as opposed to fat.

Aisle width percentage

The proportion of aisle space versus pen space in a building.

Growing Pens

Specialized pens designed for the growth phase of pigs.

Loading Chute

A structure used to move pigs into a transport vehicle.

Finishing Pens

Pens designed for pigs in the final phase before market.