Agri Presentation: Intensive Swine Farming

Study Notes

Swine Feed

Early weaning is done at 4 weeks
Weaner Feed is given to pigs from weaning to about 12-14 weeks of age
Growers Feed is fed to pigs from 13 to around 18 weeks
Grower/Fattener Feed is fed to pigs from 13 weeks to 24 weeks for those operating under fattening operation
Dry Sow Feed is fed to pregnant pigs, boar and those under dry period
Lactating Sow Feed is fed to lactating sows
Creep Feed is given to piglets as early as 10 days and piglets continue to feed on it up to 1 week after weaning

Veterinary Care and Health Monitoring

Regular health monitoring and prompt treatment of illnesses are essential for maintaining overall health and productivity of swine
Veterinary care and vaccination programs are important for preventing and controlling diseases within the swine herd

Ventilation Systems

Intensive pig production needs ventilation systems to regulate moisture, heat, and air pollution
Types of ventilation systems include: Mechanical Ventilation (Negative Pressure Barns, Positive Pressure Barns, and Neutral Pressure Barns) and Natural Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is typically recommended for farrowing and nursery pigs to control air temperature

Intensive Swine Farming

Also known as factory farming, it maximizes pig production using high-density housing, controlled environments, automated feeding, advanced breeding, and antibiotics
Criticized for its impact on animal welfare, as it often restricts pigs' movement and natural behaviors, leading to stress and injuries
Five aspects of an intensive farming system include record keeping, breed selection, waste management, individual feeding and medication, and disease prevention

Aspects of Intensive Swine Farming System

Record Keeping and Data Management: tracking individual pig performance, feed consumption, health records, and production parameters
Choosing the right breed of pigs: breeding for traits such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and disease resistance
Waste Management: using lagoon and spray field method to minimize environmental impact and prevent pollution
Individual Feeding and Medication: confining pigs in individual stalls for individual feeding and medication, using veterinary care, vaccination programs, and biosecurity measures to prevent and control diseases

Description

Learn about intensive swine farming, also known as factory farming, which maximizes pig production with high-density housing, controlled environments, and advanced breeding techniques. Understand the criticisms related to animal welfare and various aspects of an intensive farming system.