LessonExploring the Swine Industry

Bell: What questions do you have about pigs?

Student Learning ObjectivesStudents will………. Locate major physical characteristics

of swine. Describe common swine breeds. Explain selection of superior animals. Contrast various pork production

systems and methods of marketing hogs.

Objective #1

What are the major parts of a hog?

Terms Piglet - a baby pig. Barrow - a male pig that was

castrated at a young age. Gilt - a young female pig that has not

given birth or farrowed. Sow - an older female pig. Boar - mature male hog.

What are the major parts of a hog? Swine has been genetically modified

by breeding practices to: Have a strong bone structure Raise a more of a meat-type hog that is:

Lower in fat. Higher in leaner.

What are the major parts of a hog?

What are the major parts of a hog? Main use of swine is for meat. 4 primary carcass cuts (most

valuable meat). picnic shoulder, ham, loin, boston

shoulder. Other carcass cuts (usually ground

into sausage). jowl, side, hock.

What are the major parts of a hog?

Parts IDLets play a game

Quick Quiz 1 Identify this part 2. What are 2

products you could expect from this cut?

3.What are two of the 4 primary carcass cuts?

4. What percentages does the picnic ham makeup

5. What is an example of a cut you would expect to be ground into sausage?

1.

2

Objective #2

What are the common swine breeds and characteristics of the breeds?

Terms Prolificacy

the ability to produce large numbers of offspring.

Meat-type hog hog that produces the greatest amount

of high value meat cuts.

Originated in England. Black hogs with a

white belt that encircles the forepart of body, starting behind head and neck.

Erect ears. Foraging ability. Leanness of carcass. Muscling. Used as show animals

or in crossbreeding programs.

Originated in Yorkshire, England.

Color is white, can have black freckles.

Long bodies. Erect ears. Large litters. Good mothering

ability. Good feed

efficiency. Rapid growth. Used as bacon-type

hogs or in crossbreeding programs.

Originated in the United States.

Color is varying shades of red.

Droopy ears. Good mothering

ability. Efficient feed

converters. Fast growth rate. Prolificacy. A meat-type hog.

Poland China Originated in Ohio Color is black with six

white points (feet, tail, & face).

Drooping ears. Large breed. Produces carcasses with

large loin eyes. Very little back fat. Commonly used in

crossbreeding programs.

Poland China Record AssociationP.O. Box 9758Peoria, Illinois 61612(309) 691-6301

Hereford Originated from the

Poland China, Duroc and other breeds.

Color is red with a white face.

Droopy ears. Prolific. Good mothering

ability. Foraging ability.

National Hereford Hog Record Association

Rt. 1 Box 37, Flandreau, SD 57028

605-997-2116

Berkshire

Originated in Berkshire & Wiltshire Counties in England.

Color is black with 6 white points (feet, tail, snout).

Erect ears. Medium-sized hog. Lean carcass.

American Berkshire AssociationP.O. Box 2436West Lafayette, Indiana 47906(317) 497-3618

Spot Originated from the

Poland China Breed color of large black

and white spots Spots are popular

with farmers and commercial swine producers for their ability to transmit their fast-gaining, feed efficient, meat qualities to their offspring.

Landrace

Developed in Denmark

White in color and spots are not desirable

ears are large and heavy and are carried close to the face

prolific and satisfactory mothers

reach their top milk production after five weeks of lactation

It is time for the Breed ID Game

1.

2.

Drooping ears Large breedOriginated in Ohio

3.

4.

Originated from the Poland China, Duroc and other breeds.Color is red with a white face.Droopy ears.Prolific.Good mothering ability.Foraging ability.

6.

7.

color of large black and white spots

popular with farmers and commercial swine producers for their ability to transmit their fast-gaining, feed efficient, meat qualities to their offspring.

8.

Objective #3

How do I know which hogs are better than others?

Terms Specific pathogen free (SPF)

These swine are free from diseases at birth.

Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS) An inherited neuromuscular disease in

heavily muscled animals. Type

Means that you are trying to find an animal that is close to ideal as possible.

How do I know which hogs are better than others?

Terms Meatiness - describes how much

meat and fat an animal has. Pedigree - a record of ancestry

or heredity. Production testing - the best

way to evaluate and make predictions on an animal’s potential to be productive.

How do I know which hogs are better than others? Selection will vary based on your

personal preference and production needs.

Buying wrong animals could lead to failure of your business.

Things to look for: size, health, type, pedigree, production

testing.

How do I know which hogs are better than others?

Health of animals is very important. You want to purchase animals that are

disease free. Purchase animals from a SPF herd. Herds should be certified brucellosis &

pseudorabies free.

How do I know which hogs are better than others?

Never buy swine from herds that do not herd health information available from the seller.

Test for PSS. Observe animals for parasites & diseases. Isolate animals with problems to avoid

spreading.

How do I know which hogs are better than others? Select for type

Meatiness Genetic defects PSS Pedigree

Avoid genetic defects if research pedigrees.

How do I know which hogs are better than others? Swine registries have production

testing for purebred animals. Characteristics included in

registries: offspring health appearance back fat ability to grow quickly reproductive qualities if breed standards are met

Objective #4

What are the different production systems and how do they work?

Terms Farrowing

process of a female pig giving birth.

Feeder pigs a pig that has been weaned and weighs

approximately 40 pounds.

What are the different production systems and how do they work?

Before the type of operation can be selected must look at your operation for: Existing buildings. Feed storage facilities.

Sow and Litter Systems

Pigs are farrowed and fed up to slaughter weight at the same farm.

Confinement or pasture systems.

Most common swine operations.

Sow and Litter SystemsConfinementAdvantages

Pigs can be marketed throughout the year.

Less labor. Income throughout

the year.Disadvantage

Expensive startup costs.

PastureAdvantage

Lower initial investment.

Disadvantages More labor intense. Production might

be limited depending on season.

Purebred System

Produces breeding stock that others producers will use in their systems.

Requires intense management - registration paperwork.

Least common operation. Less than 1% of all hogs raised in

the U.S. are registered purebreds. Purebreds are extremely

important because of breed improvements.

Purebred Systems

To be a purebred producer you must know: A great deal about genetics. Showing & promotion of your breed.

Purebred Producers are working to: Create animals that will meet consumer

demands.

Feeder Pig Production System Breed & farrow litters of piglets. This systems farrows and weans

and sells the feeder pigs. Keeps a breeding herd of sows that

farrow between 14 to 16 piglets each.

Minimal investment is required. Must manage to keep a steady

supply of feeder pigs to sell. Less feed is required in this

system.

Finishing Feeder-Pig System Operations that buy feeder pigs and

feed them until they are market weight approximately 240 pounds.

Profit is based upon how much feed it takes to produce 1 pound of pork.

The less feed it takes the more profit.

Balancing feed rations is very important in this system.

Review

What are the major cuts of a hog? What are the common swine breeds

and characteristics of the breed? How do I know which hogs are better

than others? What are the different production

systems and how do they work?