Pig Industry

Question 1

Now we have 10million pigs in the UK, compared to 14 million in the past. Why is this good for the environment?

Answer 1

Reduces carbon footprint

Larger pigs, +30kg so same amount of meat

Question 2

What is the average number of litters and piglets per sow per year?

Answer 2

2.3

24

Question 3

What are the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor pigs?

Answer 3

‘Quality assured’
Cheap to set up, expensive to run
They need 20% more food

Question 4

At what age are piglets weaned?

Answer 4

4 weeks

Question 5

What is the difference between outdoor farms and organic farms?

Answer 5

Most outdoor farms are in a straw based building

Organic live permanently in field

Question 6

Which 4 factors affect pig production?

Answer 6

Health
Management
Environment
Feed

Question 7

Which is the major factor that affects pig production?

Answer 7

Health - cannot be guaranteed

Question 8

Why is fat not a bad thing for meat?

Answer 8

Adds flavour

Question 9

A bacon pig can be sold for around £110, but varies depending on the quality. How is quality of the carcass measured?

Answer 9

Weight

Back fat

Question 10

Where does bacon come from on a pig?

Answer 10

Loin and ribs - most valuable

Question 11

What is the most expensive cost on farms?

Answer 11

Food

Question 12

What is the FCR?

Answer 12

Food conversion ratio

Feed fed/weight gain

Question 13

How many breeding companies are in the UK? How many specialist pig plants?

Answer 13

4 or 5

14 (owned by few companies)

Question 14

Some pigs are 1/4 Meishan for efficiency. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the Meishan breed?

Answer 14

Slow growing
Too much fat
Huge litters - 18

Question 15

What are the 5 common pig breeds?

Answer 15

Large white
Landrace
Pietrain
Hampshire
Duroc (high marbling fat)

Question 16

Gilts are bought at 190 days old and weigh 100kg. What is a gilt?

Answer 16

Young breeding female

Question 17

At what weight are pigs usually slaughtered?

Answer 17

100-120kg

Question 18

At what weight and age are pigs slaughtered?

Answer 18

130kg+

230 days old

Question 19

How can sows/gilts be synchronised to come into heat within the same few days?

Answer 19

Hormones/dugs

Question 20

How many days until pregnancy can be diagnosed?

Answer 20

28-35

Question 21

How many eggs do pigs ovulate per cycle?

Answer 21

Around 26

Question 22

How long is a pig gestation period?

Answer 22

115 days (+/- 2)

Question 23

What does the word farrow mean?

Answer 23

Give birth

Question 24

After the piglets are taken away and weaned, how long is the resting period before mating again?

Answer 24

6 days

Question 25

What age are piglets and pigs culled?

Answer 25

1.5-3 months

4 months - 1 year (pork/bacon)