Swine Production (pig)

Genus species subspecies

Sus scrofa domestica

Where is the origin and domestication of pigs

1. domesticated from Asian wild boar ~6750 BC

2. domesticated from European wild boar ~3000 BC

What is the importance of the Swine Industry in the US?

• The fourth most important money generator in U.S. animal industry — ~ $15 billion annually.

Why are pigs called plastic

1. short generation interval

a. early puberty – at ~5 to 7 months of age

b. short gestation period (3 mos; 3 wks; 3 days)

2. high reproductive rate – many offspring per litter

How many variation are there of pigs

800 breeds

Sizes for Domestic hogs

a. male mature at 350 lb, can grow to >1000 lb

b. female mature at 275 lb, can grow to >900 lb

Miniature pig

sexually mature at 120 lb

Teacup pig

adult size 40-50 lb

Gilt

female pig that has never given birth

Sow

A female pig that has farrowed at least once.

Boar

An intact male hog

Barrow

A male pig that was castrated (at a young age).

Piglet

The offspring of a male boar and a female sow are called piglets, or just pigs.

Farrowing

Act of giving birth in pigs

Nursery/Feeder pig

Newly weaned piglets.

Finishing

Production phase between the nursery and market.

Monogastric

referring to a stomach with a single

chamber as in the dog, cat, horse, pig…

What are pigs

omnivores

Puberty

6 months of age

Estrous cycle

20-21 days

Gestation period

114 days

Reproductive lifespan

• boars: 2 years

• sows: 4-6 years

Economically

A. Reproductive traits

B. Growth Performance Traits

C. Carcass traits

D. Soundness traits

E. General principles-genetic improvement of traits

Heritability

Proportion of total phenotypic variability in a group that is due to genetic variability

Heterosis

Superiority of the crossbreed animal as compared to the average of the parental breeds

Measures of sow productivity

Heritability is low: 10-20% in swine

Name 4 white breeds

Yorkshire, Landrace, Chester White, Large White

Colored breeds are best for growth performance – “boar” breeds or terminal sires

ADG. – Duroc is best

FE – Hampshire is best, Duroc is good

Yorkshire – white, erect ears

a. litter size

b. 21 day litter wt

c. structural soundness

Landrace – white, long drooped ears

a. litter size

b. 21 day litter wt

c. structural soundness

Large white – white, erect ears

a. prominent sow breed of Europe

b. ancestor of the Yorkshire breed

Chester White

a. short drooped ears

b. litter size

b. conception rate

Duroc – red, drooped ears “boar”

a. fastest growing

b. strongest in performance traits

b. strong in structural soundness

Hampshire – black with white belt over

shoulders, erect ears

a. lowest backfat, large LEA

b. best carcass traits,

c. strong structural soundness

Poland China – black w/white points, drooped ears

a. large LEA (Loin-eye area )

Berkshire

black with white points, erect ears

Spotted

black & white, drooped ears

What are five types of Swine Operations

• Farrow to finish

• Feeder pig production

• Finishing

• Purebred

• Integrated swine production

Other Uses of Pigs

• Medical research

• Biomedical products

• Xenotransplantation

• As companion animals

Farrow to finish

1. maintain breeding herd & raise pigs to market wt

2. most common type

Feeder pig production

1. maintain breeding herd & produce feeder pigs for sale at ~40-50 lb.

Finishing

1. buy 40-50 lb feeder pigs & grow to market wt (230-260 lbs)

Integrated swine production

1. Growing segment & follows trend in poultry industry

2. Combines farrow-to-finish plus seedstock production

Purebred

1. produce purebred boars & gilts for sale – breeding stock

2. semen for A.I. produced mostly by breeding companies which do not sell boars