Swine Production Systems Flashcards
Confinement was first introduced in the _____.
1950’s by poultry industry
Today, the majority of pigs in the U.S. are raised in _______ production systems.
Confinement
But the #s are decreasing!
Name the 7 benefits of confinement systems.
- ) Small land requirement
- ) Low labor/unit of output
- ) Protection from elements
- ) Separation of manure from pigs (control disease)
- ) Parasite control
- ) Ease in handling pigs
- ) Improved gains (less exercise)
Name the 3 challenges of confinement systems.
- ) Huge investment $$
- ) Negative social opinion (overcrowding, etc.)
- ) Controlling temperature/ventilation
Range of environmental temps over which the heat produced by animals remains fairly constant
Thermoneutral zone (TNZ)
Temperatures that vary from a pig’s TNZ result in…(2)
Loss of appetite
Poor reproductive performance
How do confinement systems regulate temperatures in their facilities? (4)
- Misting
- Drip system cooler
- Fans
- Heat lamps
Ventilation provides _____ and _____.
Airflow and relief of toxic gasses
Heavier pigs require ______ CFM than lighter pigs.
Greater
Warmer temperatures require ______ CFM than cooler temperatures.
Higher
2 types of water systems used in confinement
- ) Nipple waters - cleaner, less waste
2. ) Troughs - More pigs can drink at once
Flooring options used in confinement? (3)
- ) Plastic: Not as sturdy (Nursery)
- ) Plastic-coated metal: Nursery
- ) Concrete slabs: not forgiving
Some important facts about Boar Stud Units: Extremely high \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_ semen Young boars are \_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_. Few in \_\_\_\_\_.
- Extremely high biosecurity (can spread disease through semen)
- Collect, extend, ship semen
- Young boars are isolated & trained
- Few in #s
Sow units typically contain what 4 stages?
Breeding
Gestation
Farrowing
Lactation
Sows are generally _____-penned
Group (10-15 sows)
Heat checks are performed _____.
Daily
Sows are mainly bred via…
AI
Stall- or crate-bred
Gestation period
114 days (3mo 3wk 3d)
Crated until the _____ of gestation.
109th day
Why do we crate during gestation? (2)
- Don’t want sows to get too fat (feed intake controlled)
- Don’t want them to fight with each other
Before moving to farrowing, sows are…(2)
Washed and dewormed
Average weaning age
21 days
How many births are typically given in a sow’s lifetime?
3-4 births
Nursery Unit Facts:
_____ moved here.
Remain until _____.
Turns over more rapidly than _____.
- Weaned pigs moved here
- Remain until 40-60lbs
- House 200-400 head depending on operation size
- Turns over more rapidly than finishing unit
Finishing Unit Facts:
Enter between _____.
Pigs remain until they reach _____.
- Enter between 40-60lbs (some at weaning)
- Pigs remain until they reach market weight
Farrow-to-Finish
What units?
All stages (Breeding --> Market weight) -Sow, nursery and finishing unit
Farrow-to-Nursery
What weight do they market pigs?
What units?
Pigs are usually _____.
Breeding –> Market 40-60lb pigs
- Sow and nursery unit
- Pigs are usually sold
Farrow-to-Wean
Market of _____ weaned pigs.
Contract _____ or may maintain _____.
Breeding –> Market of 10-15lb weaned pigs
-Contract buyers or may maintain ownership
Wean-to-Finish
No _____; ______
Purchased _____ and fed them to market weight.
No nursery; finishing barn
Purchased 10-15lb weaned pigs and fed them to market weight
Finishing Farm
Purchased _____ and fed them to market weight.
Sometimes called?
Purchased 40-60lb nursery pigs and fed them to market weight
-Sometimes Grow-Finish
Non-confinement operations (2)
Pasture systems
Deep bedded systems
Pasture operations are the _____ type of swine operation in the U.S.
Oldest
Pasture Operation Facts:
Involves intensive _____ and pasture _____
2 Types?
-Used in all stages of production
-Involves intensive production management and pasture rotation
-Types:
Farrow to market
Gestation and farrowing
Name the 7 benefits of pasture operations.
- ) Lower initial & annual costs
- ) Lower feed costs
- ) Reduce risk of nutritional deficiences (iron)
- ) Less pig-to-pig contact
- ) Flexibility
- ) Decreased manure management
- ) Lower cannibalism
Name the 5 challenges of pasture operations.
- ) More labor for handling, feeding, etc.
- ) Longer time for pigs to reach market weight
- ) Environment (weather)
- ) Parasite control (live in soil yrs)
- ) Maintaining ground cover (rooting, etc.)
Gestation and Farrowing is the _____ of pasture operation.
Most common type of pasture operation
Farrow-to-Market
Generally not practiced due to _____ for large # of pigs
Slow _____ and poor _____.
Generally not practiced due to land area requirements for large # of pigs
- Slow growth rate
- Poor feed efficiency
Pasture vs. Confinement
- Weaning rates
- Pigs weaned/sow/year
- Feed efficiency
- Average daily gains
Lower weaning rates
Fewer pigs weaned/sow/year
Poorer feed efficiency
Lower average daily gains
Deep Bedded Systems Facts:
Bedding _____ manure.
Usually used for _____ and _____ pigs.
- Bedding absorbs manure
- Usually used for gestation and finishing pigs
Name the 5 benefits of deep bedded systems
- ) Lower cost investment
- ) Higher control over environment than pasture
- ) Lower energy cost
- ) Multiple-use building
- ) Solid manure (easier to handle)
Name the 5 challenges of deep bedded systems
- ) Lots of bedding required
- ) Parasites and flies
- ) Treating and identifying sick
- ) Increased fighting
- ) Difficult to cool barns
Bedding facts:
Layer of _____ deep.
Materials must keep _____ and _____ and absorb _____.
- Layer of 14-18 inches deep
- Materials must keep warm and dry and absorb moisture
Finishing Operations Facts: Relatively \_\_\_\_\_ with/ confinement Lower \_\_\_\_\_ Slightly increased \_\_\_\_\_ More \_\_\_\_\_
- Typical size holds 200 head
- Relatively competitive w/confinement
- Lower fixed costs
- Slightly increased variable costs
- More culls
Finishing Bedded Barns compared to Confinement
Summer months: Grow _____, lower _____.
Winter months: Require more _____, higher _____.
Overall (5)?
Summer months
-Grow faster, lower mortality
Winter months
-Require more feed/lb of gain, higher mortality
OVERALL More backfat Smaller LEA (feed has less protein) Less lean product Greater wt variation at harvest Consume more feed
Bedded Barns compared to Confinement behaviors (4)
More fighting
Less aberrent (bad) behaviors
Lower plasma cortisol levels
Fewer foot injuries
Gestation bedded barns compared to Confinement (5)
- Fewer feet and leg problems
- Lower culling
- Lower sow mortality
- Lower feed costs
- Equal repro performance
In order to have success with farrowing, (3)
- Maintain sow groups
- Longer nursing period
- Keen understanding of swine
5 major challenges facing confinement hog farmers?
- Costs ^
- Consumer acceptance
- Manure handling
- Barn adaptability
- Feed costs (corn/soybean)
4 challenges facing pasture hog farmers?
- Changes in temp
- Parasites
- Lower weight gain
- Runoff
If confinement illegal, what happens to the swine industry? (3)
- Less product
- More expensive
- Fewer pigs
Types of bedding
- Hay
- Straw
- Sand
