Topic 2: The Pig Flashcards
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Suborder
Suina
Family
Suidae
Genus
Sus
Species
Sus Scrofa
Names producers go by
Swine producers (Not Europe)
Hog Farmers
Pork Producers
Pig Farmers (mostly)
Herd vs. Litter
Herd is a group of pigs not related to each other but dwell together
Litter is a group of piglets from same sow
Piglet
unweaned young pig
Runt
Weakest piglet
Weaner
Taken from mother (20 lbs)
Feeder
Nursery pig up to 70lbs/9wks
Grower
Up to 120 lbs
Finisher
Hogs; market weight of 270lbs at 24 wks
Gilt
young female
sow
female that has had litter
Boar
uncastrated male swine
Barrow
Castrated male swine
How to improve ID
Improve mgmt practice with tags, notches, brands
Breed register for pure breds
Follow show requirements
State/federal/international requirements like paper and blood work when crossing lines
Tattoos are
9mm blocks that go on thinner part of ear in or out or on shoulder. Not skin color
Ear tags
applied after selected from herd or purchased
Not put on piglets because they would be too heavy
Pigs may rip them out
Swine Premise Tag
Has a PIN (premise ID number)
Required for cull breeding stock since 2015
840 Tag
has a PIN and country code (US IS 840)
Individual ID number
Required for: interstate and national commerce + shows and fairs
Ear Notching
Traditional but not used by large producers
Breed registration and shows require it
