Fall Livestock Project Workshop Swine Jay Sleichter
Swine ProjectTopics Goals for Project Facilities and Supplies for Pigs Acquiring Pigs Selection of Pigs Feeding Pigs Vaccinations/Meds for Pigs Questions andAnswers
Goals for Project
Begin with the end in mind: Where do you want to be? -have a pig make weight at the county fair -win a class at the county fair, win a breed -win the county fair -win the state fair - win showmanship
Goals for the Project Things to think about? ● Pig Costs ● Feed Costs ● Vet Costs ● Facility Costs ● Transportation Costs What are you willing to spend? What is your budget?
Facilities and Supplies Basic minimum: 1. Shelter 2. Pen 3. Water 4. Feed
Facilities and Supplies Basic minimum: 1. Shelter- if outside consider a shade cloth over pen If you do house your pig outside, consider not buying a white or light colored pig. 2. Pen- 50 square feet minimum. 5 by 10 or 8 by 8, for a single pig 3. Water- fresh water is a must! Nipple waterers are easiest 4. Feed-quality, availability and storage
Supplies: Other things Scales Trailer Pig box
Acquiring your pigs 1. Raise your own 2. PrivateTreaty 3. Sale 4. Online auctions
Acquiring
Pigs- Pros and Cons Raise your own: Pros: Choose your own genetics, Be part of the process of raising animals. Cons: EXPENSIVE, More facilities needed, failure is always an option, lots of planning PrivateTreaty: Pros: Get to look at many pigs and settle on a price, see the pig in person Cons: First come, first sold too Sales: Pros: Get a chance to check out lots of animals at one place, see pigs in person Cons: Must be present at sale to buy or have someone buy on your behalf Online auctions: Pros: Get to look at hundreds of pigs around the country, lots of choice, purchase anywhere Cons: Shipping or picking up, only look at pictures or videos, ca
Pig Selection ● What breed? Show by breed, weight or both? ● What size? 50-100 lbs ● What age?January pigs for July show, Late January/early February for August show, February for September/October shows ● What sex, barrow or gilt? Check your fair rules ● How many pigs?Aminimum of 2 pigs is best.Tag them for your family, 3 pigs for 2 kids minimum ● Remember your goals?
Pig Selection
STRUCTURE is the number one thing to look for. No amount of
into a
Start looking at your pigs and select them from the ground up.
feed will turn a bad structured pig
good structured pig.
Pig Selection: Rear legs
Pig Selection: Square from behind
Pig Selection: Front shoulder
Pig Selection: Square Chest
Pig Selection: Rib Shape
Pig Selection: Balance and Design
Pig Selection: Muscle and Maturity
Some pigs will be bigger, others will be smaller. One is not better than the
need to be fed
other. They DO
different.
Pig Selection: Muscle
Heaviest muscled pig isn’t always the best pig.
Feeding pigs
Big
Pros:
Cons:
self feeder
Lowest labor, always have access to feed, feed many pigs
Don’t know how much each pig is eating, feed can get stale, wet, moldy Single hole self feeder: Pros: Low labor, fill every few days, feed several pigs Cons: same as above Individual hanging feeder, hand feeding: Pros:Know how much pig is eating, Easily control intake and adjust Fine tune appearance Cons: More labor intensive Harder to feed multiple pigs in one pen
Feeding: How much will my pig eat? 50-100 lb 3-5 pounds/day 100-150 lb 4-6 pounds/day 150-275 lbs 6-8 pounds/ day Assuming a 3:1 feed conversion, a pig in the above weight range will consume 675 lbs of feed or 13-14 bags of complete feed Most feeds will run $13-25 per bag, $15-19 is average.
Feeding- General Guidelines Show Feed Crude Protein (CP) Very general Guidelines for Show Feeds -20% CPfrom 25-50 lb (1.3-1.4% Lysine) -18% CPfrom 50-150 lb (1.0 to 1.1% Lysine) -16% CPfrom 150-280 lb (0.8-0.9% Lysine) Crude protein isn’t as important asTotal Lysine (AminoAcid Level are what is important. Total lysine% is on the tag. 18% crude protein until 150 lbs, 16% until show weight
Feeding- General Guidelines Increasing Protein: ● For lighter muscled or fatter pigs ● Builds muscle, decreases fat Decreasing Protein: ● For heavy muscled pigs ● Decreases muscle, feeding below their needs ● Can decrease growth Taking 20 lbs of feed, adding 0.5 lbs of soybean meal and mix together, your 16% CPis now a 17% CP. 2.5% added soybean meal increased diet CPby 1%.
Feeding- General Guidelines Increasing fat: softens pigs up and makes feed more palatable Add fat for those extra lean pigs to make them look “softer” 20 lb pail of feed, add 0.2 lb of fat and mix together, that 1% added fat will increase a diet fat by 1%. DIet Fiber- Depth of body/rib (Gut fill) or slow growth (low energy) -Beet pulp (18% Crude Fiber; CF) -Whole or stem rolled whole oats (12% CF) Wheat bran/midds (8-11% CF), Soy hulls (34% CF) How Not: Oat Groats (4% CF, if holding a pig weight using whole oats not ideal due to energy it provides
Feeding: Where to get Feed There are many choice and many suppliers. CVA, Moormans Showtec, Linders, Showrite, Purina, CountrySide, Suthers, Umbarger, Sunglo, Essential, Kent,Thompsons, Nutrena, High Noon, SureChamp ● Buy what is available, local and fresh ● Buy quality feed and modify it for what your pigs need ○ Higher protein, add soybean meal ○ More fiber, add beet pulp, soy hulls, rolled oats ○ More fat, add oil/fat
Feeding: What to Feed 2 choices: Grind your own or Buy a premade ration Most will just buy a premade ration. ● At the beginning of the season, make sure the feed is fresh and not left over from last year. ● Plan ahead, most place require 2-3 week delivery time, unless it is floor stocked. ● Pelleted vs Ground Feed ● DO NOTbuy all your feed at one time.
Feeding: What to Feed, Supplements Questions to ask yourself: ● What does your pig need? ● What is this supplement supposed to do for your pig? ● What supplements do you need to do this? ● How much does it cost? Don’t just buy and feed a supplement because you heard good things about it. Feed a supplement because it will improve your pigs look.
Vaccinations/Meds for show pigs Talk with your breeder and ask what they have vaccinated their pigs with. We vaccinate all our pigs for the following, Circovirus, Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae, Erysipelas, Influenza and then worm them all one time with Ivomec, Dectomax Injectable or with Safeguard in the feed. For best information, talk with your local veterinarian. I also recommend worming your pigs every month.Alternating between products is a good idea too.
Vaccinations/Meds for show pigs What to have on hand, if your pig gets sick? That is a good question for your local vet. What do they routinely stock. Many antibiotics need a prescription from the vet. How much do you want to spend? Some meds we have used: LA200, Lincomycin,Tylan, Penicillin, Dexamethasone, Excenel, Ivermectin, Dectomax
Now what? Start working with your pig, as soon as you get them. ● Start getting them use to you, marshmallows work really well ● Start training your pigs with the whip early on ● When working with your pig, start in a small pen, outside of their pen ● Slowly graduate to wide open spaces ● Practice like you are showing, heads up and walking at a good pace ● DON’TFEED IMMEDIATELYWHENYOU BRINGTHEM BACKTO THE PEN. Feed before or much later. ● Feed as close as possible to the same time everyday. ● Work with hair and skin.