Recording-2025-03-11T16:31:53.689Z

Livestock Digestive Systems

• Swine and Carbohydrates

• Swine rely on a diet high in carbohydrates and starches, similar to humans.

• This provides insights into utilizing swine as models for human dietary studies.

Poultry

• Digestive System

  • Poultry are monogastric with an avian digestive system, distinct from ruminants.

  • Various structures facilitate their digestion, differing from swine.

Equine

• Equine are classified as pseudoruminants, undergoing fermentation, but not in a traditional rumen like ruminants do.

Vertical and Contract Integration in Swine Industry

• Vertical Integration

• Control over the production process from breeding to market with contracts for different facilities/farms.

• Facilities may include grower or farrowing operations, requiring adherence to specific standards.

• Current Statistics

  • Approximately 778 million hogs worldwide, with a division between breeding and market purposes.

  • The pork consumption averages about 66 pounds per person per year, influenced by disease outbreaks such as African Swine Fever.

Genetic Considerations

• Rapid Genetic Change

• Swine have a shorter genetic interval compared to cattle or sheep, facilitating quicker breeding outcomes.

• High litter sizes (about 12 piglets) and fast gestation lead to increased production rates.

• Swine can breed back efficiently, yielding two litters per year.

Global Pork Production Shed

• Top Pork Producing Countries

  • China: Leading producer at approximately 57.5 million tons of pork annually.

  • European Union: Notable pork production from Germany, aggregating around 21 million tons.

  • United States: Ranks third, with 75 million market hogs, mostly located in Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Illinois, and Indiana.

Swine Production Characteristics

• Reproductive Efficiency

• Swine have a gestation period of about 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, the shortest among livestock.

• Year-round breeding is facilitated by their cyclical nature, with standing heat lasting 24-72 hours and repeating every 21 days.

• Artificial Insemination & Natural Breeding

  • AI simplifies genetic selection and enhances biosecurity in production.

  • Natural breeding occurs through either hand mating or group mating with a boar.

Pork Industry Management Practices

• Production Business Models

  • Operations may focus on farrow-to-finish, breeding only, or nursery-to-finish systems.

  • All-in-all-out systems improve biosecurity and management, allowing for efficient cleaning and disease control.

• Health and Welfare Measures

  • Farrowing crates provide safety during birthing and nursing, but have been criticized for limiting sows' movement.

  • Welfare concerns based on societal pressures and health outcomes for piglets exist, especially post-Prop 12 legislation.

Management of Piglets

• Identification Methods

  • Ear notching helps identify litters and individual animals without risk of loss during play or injury.

• Piglet Care

  • Iron shots are essential for preventing anemia at birth.

  • Tail docking and teeth clipping are performed for health management.

Breeds and Genetics in Swine Production

• Maternal Breeds

• White breeds noted for prolificacy and mothering abilities.

• Crossbreeding often utilized to enhance growth traits and carcass quality.

• Terminal Breeds

  • Colored breeds such as Durock known for muscle quality and efficient feed conversion.

Feeding and Growth

• Swine are fed primarily corn and soybean meal to enhance weight gain.

• Market Readiness: Swine reach market weight (~280 lbs) in about 5-6 months, with dressing percentages typically around 72%.

Biosecurity Measures

• Strict Protocols

• Emphasis on biosecurity through shower-in/shower-out procedures to minimize disease risk in facilities.

• Management of manure and waste includes utilizing lagoons and alternative manure management strategies.

Conclusion

• The pork industry is a complex, highly integrated system that focuses on efficiency and biosecurity while addressing both consumer demands and animal welfare issues.

• Continuous advancements in breeding, feeding, and health management practices shape the future landscape of swine production.