Pig Industry Flashcards
Now we have 10million pigs in the UK, compared to 14 million in the past. Why is this good for the environment?
Reduces carbon footprint
Larger pigs, +30kg so same amount of meat
What is the average number of litters and piglets per sow per year?
2.3
24
What are the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor pigs?
‘Quality assured’
Cheap to set up, expensive to run
They need 20% more food
At what age are piglets weaned?
4 weeks
What is the difference between outdoor farms and organic farms?
Most outdoor farms are in a straw based building
Organic live permanently in field
Which 4 factors affect pig production?
Health
Management
Environment
Feed
Which is the major factor that affects pig production?
Health - cannot be guaranteed
Why is fat not a bad thing for meat?
Adds flavour
A bacon pig can be sold for around £110, but varies depending on the quality. How is quality of the carcass measured?
Weight
Back fat
Where does bacon come from on a pig?
Loin and ribs - most valuable
What is the most expensive cost on farms?
Food
What is the FCR?
Food conversion ratio
Feed fed/weight gain
How many breeding companies are in the UK? How many specialist pig plants?
4 or 5
14 (owned by few companies)
Some pigs are 1/4 Meishan for efficiency. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the Meishan breed?
Slow growing
Too much fat
Huge litters - 18
What are the 5 common pig breeds?
Large white Landrace Pietrain Hampshire Duroc (high marbling fat)
Gilts are bought at 190 days old and weigh 100kg. What is a gilt?
Young breeding female
At what weight are pigs usually slaughtered?
100-120kg
At what weight and age are pigs slaughtered?
130kg+
230 days old
How can sows/gilts be synchronised to come into heat within the same few days?
Hormones/dugs
How many days until pregnancy can be diagnosed?
28-35
How many eggs do pigs ovulate per cycle?
Around 26
How long is a pig gestation period?
115 days (+/- 2)
What does the word farrow mean?
Give birth
After the piglets are taken away and weaned, how long is the resting period before mating again?
6 days
What age are piglets and pigs culled?
1.5-3 months
4 months - 1 year (pork/bacon)
