Swine Production Flashcards
Around when were pigs domesticated?
Between 8000 to 9000 years ago (~7000 BC)
What was the wild ancestor of our modern pig?
The wild pig or banded pig.
What is interesting about the banded pig?
Actually the ancestor of our modern domesticated pig AND all of the wild variants (like wild boar)
What was the range in habitat for banded pigs.
Europe to china. A thin and shallow arch under Russia.
What is the random little spot on the map separate from the other spots where wild pigs used to live?
Between Iraq and Seria. This is where we found human ancient civilization with pig bones.
Using the map and the timeline of pig domestication, what can we conclude?
That we started coming into contact with pigs while we were still nomatic.
This is different than cows!
Where is north carolina in swine?
World leader in swine production and research.
In comparison to cattle, where are pigs easier? Harder?
Pigs are easy to schedule because their cycles are very clean cit. One cycle ends the next begins. This is different than cattle.
Pigs have to be very hands on. They need a lot more personal care than cattle.
Why might pigs need more hands on care than cattle?
They are normally kept in a much more confined space.
What was the primary reason for domesticating pigs?
Food.
How did the domestication process go for pigs?
Two main steps.
First step: Pigs lived on the fringes of nomadic bands and lived off of their scraps.
Second step: When humans started becoming stationary and growing crops they captured pigs to prevent them from raiding the crops.
Who is the ancient ancestor of the banded pig?
Daedon.
What three categories of pig are decendants of the banded pig?
Peccaries (Collared, white-lipped)
Old world pigs (warthog, wild boar…)
Domestic pigs.
What is a meishan pig?
A small Chinese pig breed. Average of 300 pounds weight.
Describe Liberian pigs.
Found on the Liberian peninsula in Spain.
This pig is considered to be a delicacy.
Average 700-800
Basically a cross between Chinese and European pigs.
In this class, what two kinds of domestic pigs do we talk about?
Chinese and european pigs.
Describe the traits of chinese pigs.
Large litter size (>20)
Good mothering ability
Very docile
No peck orders
Small size (~300 lbs)
Slow growth
Increased body fat.
Describe the traits of European pigs.
Very lean (Less fat, more muscle)
Rapid growth
Very adaptable
Good meat quality
Large size (~500 lbs)
Establish peck orders
Increased disease susceptibility.
What is a possible theory for why European pigs are more susceptible to disease than Chinese pigs?
We think it comes from a difference in colostrum quality
What is the difference in adaptability in pigs?
European pigs can be raised in most environments. Not true for Chinese!
Explain how the swine industry can become political.
If you US wants to put a tariff on Chinese imports, the other countries are going to retaliate by putting tariffs on American things like pork.
Of 2017 statistics, how many total swine operations are there in the US?
63, 246
Of 2017 statistics, what is the total swine inventory in the US?
66 million
Of 2017 statistics, what is the total sow inventory in the US?
4.3 million
of 2017 statistics, what is the total gross income for the US.
$22.5 billion.
How do we believe the pandemic affected these numbers?
We expected them to be 10-15% lower now.
What are the top five producing state in the pork industry in the United States.
Iowa (BY a LOT)
North Carolina
Minnesota
(These two switch back and forth a lot)
Illinois
Indiana.
Of 2017 statistic, how many total swine operations are there in North Carolina?
2,426
Of 2017 statistics, what is the total swine inventory in NC?
8.9 million
Of 2017 statistics, what is the total sow inventory in NC?
996,531
Of 2017 statistics, what is the total gross income in NC?
$3.2 billion
Of 2017 statistics, what is the market share of the total operations in North Carolina?
3.8%
Of 2017 statistics, what is the market share of total inventory in North Carolina?
13.5%
Of 2017 statistics, what is the market share of the total sow inventory in North Carolina?
23.2%
Of 2017 statistics, what is the market share of the total gross income in North Carolina?
14.2%
What do these statistics tell us about north carolina?
Our swine farms are larger than other US states. We are a sow state! We mostly focus on breeding.
In north carolina what is the total gross income from agricultural commodities?
$11.2 billion
In north carolina what is the total gross income from swine production?
$3.2 Billion
What do the statistics of gross income from swine production vs. gross income from all agricultural activities tell us??
Our swine industry is VERY important to NC’s income.
Pork accounts for 28.6% of total agricultural economy in NC.
If NC state was a country how would it fall in terms of pork production? Iowa?
Nc would be 7th largest producer of pigs in the world.
Iowa would be 6th.
In north carolina, where are most of the swine farms concentrated?
Southeastern corner.
What are the top five countys in North carolina in swine production?
Duplin, Sampson, Bladen, Wayne, Robeson.
From 2005-2014, what is the trend for number of swine farms in NC?
It has dropped quiet a bit!! At least a thousand less.
What is a good explanation for why we have so many pigs here?
Historically., we used to be a big tobacco producing industry. In the 1800’s farmers wanted something new.
Two people developed contract production. This involves growing corn and feeding pigs.
How does NC measure up in terms of technology in swine production?
NC is considered to be a world and US leader in terms of developing and implementing new technology in swine production.
What are four developments that NC state has created in swine production?
Confinement production.
Real-time ultrasound and AI
Three site production.
Sow body condition caliper.
What are the three basic sounds that pigs make?
Grunt, Bark, Squeal.
What is pig communication called?
Calls.
How do calls differentiate? (How do pigs communicate)
Variations of the intensity of individual sounds or their use in different sequences
How many calls have been identified in swine? What does Dr. Flowers think?
20 have been identified. Dr. Flowers thinks closer to 50.
What do we use to best understand pigs?
Body language! More so than by sound.
Describe a pigs grunt.
Short duration,
low pitched nasal sound from the back of the throat.
On the inhale.
Describe a pigs bark.
Very short duration
Low pitched sound from mouth
usually from a startled pig.
Describe a pigs squeal.
High pitched sound that signifies excitment
Can be in response to good or bad.
When piglets are making noise, describe how it might sound.
Piglets mostly squeal. They make very very different kinds of squeals depending on the situation.
Ex: Wanting food vs being crushed by mom.
In terms of body language, what is the very best way to figure out how a pig is feeling?
The tail!
Where might a pigs tail be when experiencing a pleasant stimuli? (such as interaction with other animals, eating, breeding)
Elevated and curled
When a pig is distressed, where might the tail be? Whats the exception?
Stright and pressed against the body.
Unless sleeping.
What might the pigs tail look like when excited?
It will twitch!
Its position will generally change based on what kind of excitement. (Aggressive or happy, ect.)
When do pigs establish peck orders?
Always when the weight and size are similar.
-When new animals are introduced into a new pen.
-When all of the animals are brought to a new location
What is the biggest challenege in pig management?
Pigs fighting and establishing peak orders.
What is a very large part of management for swine specifically?
Keeping pigs from hurting themselves or each other while establishing a peak order.
True or false: Once established, the peak order is solid.
False! The peak order is constantly getting adjusted and reestablished!
Especially if a pig is taken out or put in.
What contact zones do subordinate pigs nose or lick?
The dominant pigs back and belly and lower jowls.
What is a good way to get a pig to lie down?
Petting its belly.
How does a pigs estrous cycle flow?
Pig cycles are nice and clean cut. Goes from one stage to another without over lap.
What is the difference between swine estrous cycles and cattle estrous cycles?
Swine estrous stages happen separately. Cattle estrous cycles overlap. Rebreeding happens during lactation.
In cattle what is considered an alright conception rate?
65%
What conception rate are we expecting in swine?
90% or more!
What does the high conception of swine mean?
If a swine is not bred on the first breeding, they are generally gotten rid of.
When do most gilts reach puberty?
Between 170-190 days of age.
What is the main factor for when pigs reach puberty?
Their age! Weight is less significant.
In swine vs Cattle, how is reaching puberty different?
In swine, age is the limiting factor.
In cattle, age and weight affect when cattle reach puberty.
What is sow and boar longevity influenced by? What misconception did we used to hold about this?
How they are managed as piglets!
We used to think that prepuberty management was less important, but we were wrong.
True or false: different than cattle, all of the puberty information for swine is the same for both Chinese and european breeds
True!
Are gilts bred at their first estrus?
No! Same as cattle, swine are bred after their second or third estrus.
We dont we breed after the first estrus period?
“Test drive the car.” Make sure everything is working correctly.
When are gilts generally bred?
Second or third estrus period. When she is 190-240 days of age.
How long is the estrous cycle in swine?
21 days.
How long is estrus in swine? When does ovulation happen?
Estrus is 1 to 3 days! Ovulation can occur at anytime during estrus.
How can we predict when swine will ovulate?
We cant! Could be early in the estrus, could be late, its a random event.
Why haven’t we figured out how to measure ovulation in swine?
Likely because they are a litter-bearing species. Multiple eggs ovulate during the estrus period.
How is ovulation different in pigs compared to cattle?
Because pigs have multiple eggs to ovulate, it may happen over about a 6 hour time. Not all of the eggs ovulate at the same time.
How many times are sows generally breed during their estrus? Gilts?
At least once per day of estrus.
It is common for gilts to be bred more often than sows, sometimes even twice a day in estrus.
True or false: Sows generally have a shorter ovulation period than gilts
False, other way around.
General litter size in sows?
14-15 piglets.
Why do we breed pigs several days in a row during their estrus?
We dont know when they are going to ovulate.
Some eggs might ovulate before a breeding and then some may ovulate after. Litter bearing species!!
In the US, around what percentage of sows are bred with artificial insemination?
90%
In NC, around what percentage of sows are bred with artificial insemination?
99%
Why do we use AI in pigs?
For genetic improvement! AI makes it easier to spread desirable genes.
Its safer for everyone!! For the boar, sow, and handler.
True or false: when a female is in heat, the male seeks her out to breed.
False! generally, females will seek the male out when they are ready.
How do swine operations detect heat?
Walk a male boar down a line of females. He gives off pheromones through prepuce fluid.
If females are in heat, they have a standing response. They don’t move, they perk their ears up. Farmers note this and will preform AI.
How do we perform AI in swine? Explain the process from start to finish.
A soft tipped catheter is inserted through the cervix nearly to the end.
A sperm bag is attached. The handler may scratch or stroke the females back to stimulate her.
Uterine contractions will pull in the sperm. This will happen at different rates for different sows. The handler does NOT squeeze the bag, but may hold it and roll it down as it empties.
After it is empty, the bag is crimped and the catheter stays in the animal for a bit.
When removed, the top of the catheter is checked for any blood or signs of infection.
What is a new crate idea that has been in development to coincide with proposition 12?
The female is not restrained. Sows can choose when to move into stalls and decide when they want to eat or be breed.
How long is gestation in swine?
114 days on average.
Where are most sows kept when gestating?
Most housed in crates or group pens.
How are swine feed during gestation?
They are fed according to their body condition.
What is an advantage of using a pen system?
You can separate sows into different pens depending on their weight. Individual feed needs can be met.
What kind of system does NC State’s swine farm use?
A pen system.
What is birth called in pigs?
Farrowing.
When are sows moved from gestation pens to farrowing crates?
About 2-4 days before they are due to farrow.
At NC State, we do it a week before.
What is Dr. Flower’s perspective on farrowing crates?
He grew up with swine that farrowed outside. He believes that farrowing crates are much better for sows and piglets.
Saves piglets from being killed by being rolled on.
Prevents the mom from killing the runt or refusing to let it nurse.
True or false: Farrowing crates are perfect and are widely accepted.
False! They save a lot of piglet lives, and doesn’t last that long anyway, she is moved out soon.
However, there are some things we could do better. We are testing new farrowing crates right now.
How long does farrowing last in swine?
4-8 hours is average. But it can last up to 18 hours!
Cattle often have issues with breached births. What is the most common issue in swine farrowing?
The mom getting fatigued and stop trying to push piglets out.
Why do swine not generally struggle with dystocia?
Sow’s have litters. No individual baby is too big. The issues dont come from size, just from exhaustion from pushing out so many.
What is the best way to prevent neonatal mortality?
The presence of a knowledgeable person to assist the females during farrowing.
What behavior might a sow start to exhibit when she is about to give birth?
Nosing at the bottom of the enclosure.
Nesting behavior.
How will the sow act before and while delivering?
She will lie down on her side. When having contractions, she will kick. Her tail will start to twitch.
true or false: Sows always need continuous help while farrowing?
False! Generally the sow can do it on her own. But if the piglet is hanging out, we will help pull.
When a piglet is delivered, what will the handler do?
Check the piglets airways, clean off the amnion. Powder them to dry them off fast
How do we make sure a piglet is doing okay after birth?
Set them down on their sternum. If they roll over and can’t support themselves, it means they can’t breathe well. Stimulate them and make sure they can breathe. Repeat the test until they can sit sternly.
How are the reproductive organs of a pig shaped?
The uterus is lower. The pathway to the cervix is J-shaped. It goes up and across. Then the cervix is slanted downwards slightly.
If piglets get stuck, where is the most likely place?
The junction of the cervix and uterus just in front of the pelvic bone.
Why might a piglet get stuck at the junction of the cervix and uterus?
The shape of the reproductive tract! The piglet must go up and then down. Its not a straight shot!
After a piglet is delivered how will you know if it got stuck in the uterus?
It will be covered in meconium. Brownish goo looking.
After a piglet is delivered how will you know if it got stuck in the cervix?
The piglet will come out with a bruised umbilical cord. Umbilical hematomas.
When piglets are first born, what MUST they receive during the first 24 hours?
Colostrum
How long do most sows lactate for?
Between 16-21 days.
If we were focusing on piglet welfare only, when would piglets be weaned? Why??
around 10 days! It is extended for the sows benefit.
Sows milk actually limits the piglets growth after about 10 days.
Whats the issue with pig milk?
It isnt the best nutritionally!
What is colostrum?
The first milk that mammalian species produce.
What are some qualities of colostrum?
-It is very high in energy.
-It is very high in antibodies
-Is created during gestation, stored, and then consumed by the babies.
-Lasts about 24 hours.
What are the two most important things that colostrum does for newborns?
It gives them antibodies from passive immunity.
It gives them a lot of energy and can perk up a struggling baby.
What happens after the colostrum is gone?
The neural reflex arc is started by the suckling and regular milk is produced.
What is passive immunity?
You get antibodies from an outside source.
What is active immunity?
Your body produces its own antibodies
What kind of immunity is colostrum?
Passive.
Why does the piglet need passive immunity from colostrum?
Their immune systems s are not developed until about 6 weeks. Cant make their own antibodies.
Explain how a piglets antibody resistance works for the first 12 weeks
resistance spikes after birth from the colostrum. Then it slowly declines until around 3 weeks.
After around weaning (4-6) weeks, their immune system develops and the babies are protected through active immunity.
When is an animal most vulnerable to disease? why?
The period right after/before weaning.
No more antibodies from the mom, but they are not making their own yet either.
Explain how vaccines are dependent on immune systems.
A developing animal without a fully developed immune system is not going to have an effective reaction to vaccines.
Vaccines are more effective in adult animals.
Vaccines are less effective in Animals with developing immune systems. How do we circumvent this?
We give several vaccines at lower doses.
What happens to baby pigs shortly after birth? How is this different than cattle?
They are processed!
This is different than cattle. calves are generally let alone on pasture after birth.
Pigs are different. After birth care is very intensive, even if outside.
What are the first three processing steps that are done everywhere? (Outside, inside, commercial, family…)
Giving iron injections, medication, clipping and dipping umbilical cords with iodine solution.
What are the next four processing steps that only some farms do?
Docking tails, ear notching for identification, clipping needle teeth, weighing pigs at birth.
Why are iron injections given to piglets?
Baby pigs are born deficient in iron and the sows milk is a poor source.
Most critical thing to do!! Almost everyone will do this.
When is an iron injection given?
With in a day or so after birth.
Why do we give an injection instead of another way?
Oral iron does not work very well. So we give injections.
What might happen if a pig does not get an iron injection?
Our modern pigs grow very very fast genetically. Without an iron injection, they may develop anemia. You might not even know until 7 or so months.
Why are piglets given medication?
To prevent scours (diarrhea) and other diseases.
Prevents dehydration and early death.
Why do we clip and dip the umbilical cords?
-reduces incidence of hernias and navel infections.
-Helps prevent abominable hernia.
-Again you might not know about these issues until later in life. These issues would develop after childhood.
What makes clipping and dipping cords easy?
After about a day, the umbilical cord is shriveled up.
Why do we dock tails?
-Prevents the piglets from biting tails of other pigs.
When can tail biting become an issue?
If it is first motivated by curiosity, then the pig gets a taste of blood and starts biting more tails.
Do commercial farms dock tails?
No, commercial farms to not usually dock tails unless tail biting tends to be a problem.
Do research and teaching facilities dock tails?
Yes! They are required to do it by the USDA unless they have a valid reason not too.
What is ear notching and how is it different than ear tags?
A form of permanent identification. That is why its different than ear tags.
Do commercial farms do ear notching?
Generally no.
Do research and teaching facilities notch ears?
Yes! again, they are required to do so by the USDA.
Why do we clip needle teeth?
-Prevents the piglets from damaging the sow underline.
Why might clipping teeth not be nessicary?
Recent studies show that if weaning occurs at less than 3 weeks, clipping the teeth might not be needed.
This is because piglets dont nurse that vigorously before 3 weeks.
Do commercial farms clip teeth?
No. they generally wean before 3 weeks.
What has been the recent trend in commercial farms?
They have started to clip teeth on the litter of gilts. This prevents bitting and prevents the new mom from refusing to let piglets nurse.
Leads to more successful nursing in future litters!
What is the benefit of weighing pigs at birth?
It assists with genetic selection and managing animals selected as replacements.
Allows you to find out the weight per day afterabout a week.
What does weight per day of age tell us?
How well a piglet is making the transition between fetal life and living life.
Describe the different meanings between weights per day of age.
Target is about 3/4 pounds a day. This is great!
Between 1/2-3/4 pounds a day is okay. Keep an eye on.
Less than 1/2, they need a supplement or intervention.
Do commercial farms weigh pigs at birth?
Only the ones that produce replacement animals.
What is common for farmers to do when multiple sows farrow at once?
Cross fostering piglets among sows.
Why do we crossfoster piglets?
To equalize demands for milk production among sows.
How does cross fostering piglets benefit them? How does it benefit the mom?
It gives the piglets less competition for milk.
For mom: More babies suckling, more milk production.
When is cross fostering most successful?
When done before day 3-4 the mom accepts them more easily.
When are male piglets castrated?
Between 4 to 7 days of age.
Why are pigs castrated?
To appease the american consumer. Intact males taste and smell gross after puberty.
Most farmers wouldnt castrate if there were other options.
Do pigs get castrated in Europe?
No! They just slaughter before the male reaches puberty. This causes market weight to be lower.
Do farms normally castrate with anesthetic?
No. Commercial farms are not allowed to use general anesthetics and pain meds because they are not approved for food animals.
Research farms can, through the USDA.
What is improVet? How does it work?
A vaccine that chemically castrates. Stops the hormone that controls LH and FSH. That stops any production of testosterone.
The vaccine is given before puberty. Two doses! The testicles don’t develop and stay very very small.
Is improVest used in America? Why or why not?
Hasn’t caught on much in the US, but is approved to be used.
Because it is more work and about 98% effective.
Why was Improvest made to be two doses?
One dose was effective, but it was changed to two for HUMAN benefit.
USDA said make it two, in case a human accidentally gave themselves one. They wouldnt completely sterilize themselves.
How is lactation terminated?
By weaning. Remember the reflx arc and how it works.
When are sow rebred?
Sows normally exhibit estrus 4 to 7 days after weaning and are rebred then.
How often can a sow have a litter? Break down the math.
every 140 days!
114 days for gestation, 21 days for lactation, 5 days before rebreeding.
True or false, “Market” is just a euphemism for slaughter.
False! Market refers to selling the pig. This could be selling to slaughter or selling to another farm for genetics.
How heavy are most piglets when they are sent to the nursery?
15-20 lbs.
Where do weaned piglets go? How long do they stay there?
the Nursery! They stay until they are about 9 weeks old. This is when the immune system matures.
This is about 5-7 weeks in the nursery depending on when they were weaned.
What are piglet fed at a nursery?
A sequence of diets that assist their transition from milk to solid food.
What is something very important in a nursery?
Prevention of diseases! Their immune systems are not great yet.
After nursery, where do pigs go?
Moved from the nursery to the finishing phase of production.
How long are pigs in the finishing barn?
For about 15-18 weeks until they reach market weight.
What is market weight?
240 to 280 lbs.
How much waste does finishing produce?
70% of all the waste of all swine production.
This is the period when most of the resources are used as well, like in terms of feed.
