The Pig Business
Pigs grow fast, breed at young ages, and can deliver large numbers of piglets per sow (mother pig). While a pig can eat almost anything, it is important that they are fed quality feed. Appropriate nutrition is good for growth and it is also expensive.
Like any other business, a producer must make a profit in order to continue operating. Many variables such as supply and production cost are beyond the producer's control. For example, an oversupply of pork available to consumers will reduce the price the producer receives. Likewise, higher costs associated with raising pigs will reduce profits. These costs can be caused by fluctuating feed costs, weather, diseases, regulations, labor availability, and more.
Housing Pigs
Pigs can be raised either outdoors (pasture) or indoors (confinement). Each approach has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the nature of the pig business and the goals of the producer.
Outdoor production requires fewer buildings and equipment, but pigs are exposed to weather extremes, potential predators, and diseases. There are also higher labor costs per pig that is sold.
Confinement buildings allow for larger-scale production with better feed efficiency (less feed needed per pound of pig growth) and lower labor costs per pig. Confinement also provides a means for climate control and bio-security measures that can provide better protection from predators and transmissible diseases.
Feeding Pigs
Feed is the single biggest cost for raising a pig. Diet determines how well pigs grow, with a different diet best for each age group. Choosing what to feed and when to feed pigs involves careful planning and wise choices of feed ingredients. Since feed ingredient costs vary widely throughout the year, formulating the diet is an ongoing process.
Handling Pigs
Pigs are social animals with well-known behavior patterns. The ways in which pigs are treated and handled can affect their growth, their reproduction and their meat quality. Understanding pig behavior is a key to good husbandry (care) of pigs and essential to assure that the welfare of the pigs is protected.
The Pig Business Pigs grow fast, breed at young ages, and can deliver large numbers of piglets per sow (mother pig). While a pig can eat almost anything, it is important that they are fed quality feed. Appropriate nutrition is good for growth and it is also expensive. Like any other business, a producer must make a profit in order to continue operating. Many variables such as supply and production cost are beyond the producer's control. For example, an oversupply of pork available to consumers will reduce the price the producer receives. Likewise, higher costs associated with raising pigs will reduce profits. These costs can be caused by fluctuating feed costs, weather, diseases, regulations, labor availability, and more. Housing Pigs Pigs can be raised either outdoors (pasture) or indoors (confinement). Each approach has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the nature of the pig business and the goals of the producer. Outdoor production requires fewer buildings and equipment, but pigs are exposed to weather extremes, potential predators, and diseases. There are also higher labor costs per pig that is sold. Confinement buildings allow for larger-scale production with better feed efficiency (less feed needed per pound of pig growth) and lower labor costs per pig. Confinement also provides a means for climate control and bio-security measures that can provide better protection from predators and transmissible diseases. Feeding Pigs Feed is the single biggest cost for raising a pig. Diet determines how well pigs grow, with a different diet best for each age group. Choosing what to feed and when to feed pigs involves careful planning and wise choices of feed ingredients. Since feed ingredient costs vary widely throughout the year, formulating the diet is an ongoing process. Handling Pigs Pigs are social animals with well-known behavior patterns. The ways in which pigs are treated and handled can affect their growth, their reproduction and their meat quality. Understanding pig behavior is a key to good husbandry (care) of pigs and essential to assure that the welfare of the pigs is protected.
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