Show Pig Management “Sam’s Perspective” Sam A. Womble County Extension Agent – Ag/NR Bexar County

Show Pig Basics... Selection Feeding Health

Selection – “The Most Important Decision You’ll Make’’ Gather information about the show  Arrival, Weigh/sift, Age/sex of pig, Min/Max weight, Judge Market vs. Breeding  Classification  Eligibility Seek advise from someone successful  Extension Agent, Ag. Teacher, Club Leader, Friend

Selection... Where to purchase a pig?  Private Treaty  Sale What is your price range?  Be realistic Be cautious of pigs younger than 5 ½ months and older than 6 ½ months. Inquire about the history  Parents  Previous Litters

Selection – The BIG Four Structure Balance Muscle Volume

Selection... Structure  Correct feet and leg placement  Toe/foot size  Angularity/Flexibility

Structure...

Selection... Balance  Length and extension  Levelness of design You can’t win without BALANCE!

Selection... Muscle  Loin (top shape)  Rump and Hip  Ham and Stifle Base Width  Chest  Track

Selection... Volume  Production (rib shape)  Fresh appearance Natural Youthful

Feeding – “The Key” Seek advise if you are not sure what to do. Ultimate goal is to feed pigs for rapid growth and development for as long as possible. Rules of Thumb  Generally pigs will gain between 1.7 and 2.0 pounds per day on full feed.  Pigs will convert 3 pounds of feed to 1 pound of gain on average.  Normally it takes 1 ½ gallons of water to digest 1 pound of feed.

Feeding – No Magic Diets Always use a good quality feed and be consistent. Know how many pounds of feed your pig is eating a day. Recognize that each pig is different and may require a different approach. Make any necessary changes to your feeding program slowly, over time.

Feeding... Monitor the pigs weight weekly.  Set a time-line  Know where you are and where you’re going!

Feeding Dilemmas... My pig is growing to fast, what do I do?  Start slowing your pig down early as opposed to waiting until the end of the feeding period.  Decrease energy, maybe add a little filler (rolled oats, beet pulp)  Increase protein in some instances.

Feeding Dilemmas... My pig is not growing fast enough, what do I do?  Try feeding more times a day in smaller quantities.  Wet feed  Consider feeding paylean

Exercise... Exercise is extremely important! It will increase your pigs metabolism and stamina. Provides you an opportunity to practice your showmanship skills. Remember, pigs are creatures of habit. If you want to be successful, practice perfection!

Exercise – Do’s and Don’ts Do’s:  Let your pig out frequently and practice showmanship.  30 days out of the show practice walking your pig daily for minutes.  Gradually, increase the time. A pig that has been properly trained and conditioned stands a much higher likelihood of winning. Don’t:  Teach your pig to RUN!

Health... Buy healthy looking pigs. Provide a clean, sanitary pen with fresh feed and water. Isolate new pigs upon arrival. Sort pigs to reduce fighting and stress.

Health – Signs of a Sick Pig Drooping head and tail Stiffness Coughing and wheezing Nasal discharge Diarrhea Loss of appetite Rashes, bumps, itching, swelling of joints Shaking or dizzy appearance

Health... Lice - inside ears, legs, flank, neck and jowl Mange - skin disease caused by mites Ticks - often seen on ears, neck, and flank Flies/Mosquitoes - eliminate breeding ground, sanitation Ants - bites can be found anywhere on the pigs body, proper management (Sprays, dips, pour-ons, and dusts can be used to treat most of the above)

Health – Vaccination Procedures Store products appropriately Read and follow the label Buy correct equipment  20cc syringe  16 gauge needles (3/4 – 1 inch) Always use clean needles Administer vaccines correctly  Intramuscularly (IM)  Subcutaneous (SQ)

Health - Vaccinations Two primary diseases:  Erysipelas – sudden death, skin disease, lameness  APP (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae) – pneumonia, sudden death, poor doers PRRS (Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome) – pneumonia, death, reduced weight gain Deworming – whipworms and roundworms

Health – Vaccination Procedures I’d suggest having antibiotics on hand at all times.  LA 200 – respiratory  Tylan 200 – respiratory, intestinal, general bacterial diseases  Lincomix 100 – lameness and general bacterial diseases A topical antibiotic spray like Furox works well for cuts and scrapes.

Additional Information... There is a world of information out there.  Livestock publications  Magazines  Internet  People Take advantage of these resources and make the most of opportunities available to you.