Systems of production pigs

Breeding

Breeding pigs are pigs that are kept and bred from and not used for meat.

Finishing pigs

Extensive

Intesive

The pigs who are chosen have characteristics which are desirable tobe passed on to the next-gen.

Sows tend to give birth to 10-14 piglets per litter

Example: growth rate

Finishing pigs are pigs which are kept and grown for meat only.

They are born, weaned, and grown for 5-8 months

depending on the breed

Traditional breeds grow slower

When they are around 90kg they are sent to slaughter

Finishing pigs follow a very strict diet, to allow the best growth as well as control the amount of fat they build up.

Advantages ✅

Disadvantages ❌

For producer

For consumer

for pig

for producer

for consumer

for pig

Greater freedom to root

To move about

To get away from others

No slurry problem

low capital cost (buildings to buy)

Higher premium price when you sell the meat

Higher productivity

Knowlege pigs have freedom

Lower productivity (higher feed costs)

Harder to manage pigs/higher labor costs/less pigs per person

only light land is suitable or goes to mud in winter

Foxes take piglets

Vermin take food

Visiting pigs in winter

Higher price

not as much available/harder to find to buy

cold

heat

wet

wind

vermin

Advantages ✅

Disadvatages ❌

For producer

for consumer

for pig

Uses less land

Warmer working environment

easer access and management

higher prodictivity/lower feed costs

use on any land

Less risk of weather

Cheaper products

more available

for pig

For producer

For consumer

higher capital cost

more market competition

less mony for meat

large amount of slurry to dispose of

Less freedom to root around

unless in deap straw

more confined

closer to other pigs

knowlege pigs had less freedom