Chapter 2: Breeds and Life Cycles of Livestock and Poultry Unit 2e: Swine Life Cycle - history and general production of hogs

Hogs in the Americas: 1493: Santo Domingo with Columbus 1539: brought to Florida –Wild hogs common to southeastern US in colonial times were likely “escapees” from as early as Spanish exploration

Historical Perspectives : Domesticated about 8000 years ago China produces nearly one-half of the world’s hogs Vast majority of market hogs are crossbreds Production concentrated in the Midwest due to availability of corn and soybeans Revolution: the pork industry became highly horizontally integrated in the 1990’s

Swine numbers

Swine Genealogy: Genus and species: Sus scrofa Sub-species 1: domesticus –European breeds, such as Hampshire Sub-species 2: indicus –Asian breeds, such as Meishan Common term for hogs: porcine

Swine Life Cycle: Farrowing Well developed gilts are bred to farrow at approximately one year of age Sows are limit-fed to control weight during gestation Farrowing crates or stalls commonly used in the US

Newborn Piglet Management: Birth weight: pounds typical Newborns do not effectively control body temperature; require heat source Sow’s colostrum is critical to survival Navel dipping - antiseptic to prevent infection Identification - record keeping begins

Pig Management: First Month Tail removal - to reduce tail-biting Clipping “needle” teeth - prevent injuries Castrate - market pigs in US will be castrated Weaning –Commonly done at about one month of age –New: “segregated early weaning” at days Creep feeding - may be fed extra energy

Feedlot Animals: Barrows and gilts commonly marketed for meat Free-choice feeding of high corn and soybean meal diets common in US Common market goals: –6 months of age or less –230 to 270 pounds live weight

Female Replacements: Goal: first litter born at one year of age –Selected females will be bred at about 7 to 8 months of age Subsequent breeding times will be determined by management strategies –Sows are typically polyestrous –Multiple litters per year possible

Replacement Males: Performance evaluation –Items such as average daily gain, feed efficiency, backfat thickness and rib-eye area will be evaluated Limited use in breeding at one year of age AI collection for breeding with unfrozen semen use is common