Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of using purebred pigs in commercial pig production?
What is the duration of the oestrus cycle in pigs?
Which of the following is a characteristic of the gestation period in pigs?
Which of the following breeds is NOT mentioned as used in commercial pig production in Ireland?
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How long does the oestrus period typically last in pigs?
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Which of the following options is an important aspect of criss-cross breeding not provided in the content?
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What is the key focus when managing breeding in pig production?
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What is the significance of calculating the number of days it takes for pigs to reach finishing weight?
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What does FCR stand for in pig farming, and why is it calculated?
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How does the dry matter (DM) intake of each pig affect its overall growth?
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Which rations are specifically mentioned as important for different production stages of pigs?
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What could potentially happen if pigs are not fed a suitable ration according to their stage of production?
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What is one way farmers can measure whether their pigs are meeting growth targets?
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What is the primary purpose of providing environmental enrichment materials to pigs?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of providing environmental enrichment materials to pigs?
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Which of the following is a consequence of not providing environmental enrichment materials to pigs?
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What is the primary goal of improving Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
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Which of the following is a recommended method to enhance FCR in pigs?
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What management practice can lead to improved FCR?
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What is the term for the instinctive behavior of pigs to dig and root in the ground?
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How does temperature control in housing benefit pigs?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason why environmental enrichment materials are important for pigs?
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What is a result of overcrowding in pig housing?
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What does the Bord Bia accredited scheme likely focus on?
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Which aspect is essential for optimal animal health and welfare?
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Study Notes
Breeds
- Two main breeds used in commercial pig production in Ireland: Landrace and Large White.
- Purebred pigs are used to produce crossbred sows for meat production.
Criss-Cross Breeding
- No specific information provided in the text.
Pig Production
- No specific information provided in the text.
The Sow Production Year
- No specific information provided in the text.
Breeding
- Length of Oestrus Cycle: 21 days.
- Duration of Oestrus: 2-3 days.
- Gestation: 115 days.
Fatteners
- Multiple pigs were tracked from day 0 to finishing weight.
- The following data was collected for each pig:
- Breed
- Live-weight at day 0 (KG)
- Average DLG (Kg/day)
- Finishing weight
- Number of days to finishing weight
- FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio)
Example Fatteners Data
- Pig 10: LR x breed, 44.6 KG at day 0, 0.813 DLG, 120.0 finishing weight, 92.74 days to finishing weight, 2.46:1 FCR.
- Pig 11: LW x breed, 50.3 KG at day 0, 0.805 DLG, 122.5 finishing weight, 89.69 days to finishing weight, 2.48:1 FCR.
- Pig 12: LW x breed, 49.1 KG at day 0, 0.778 DLG, 118.2 finishing weight, 88.82 days to finishing weight, 2.57:1 FCR.
- Pig 13: LR x breed, 48.9 KG at day 0, 0.762 DLG, 117.8 finishing weight, 90.42 days to finishing weight, 2.62:1 FCR.
- Pig 14: LR x breed, 51.2 KG at day 0, 0.789 DLG, 124.8 finishing weight, 93.28 days to finishing weight, 2.53:1 FCR.
- Pig 15: LW x breed, 60.5 KG at day 0, 0.843 DLG, 132.1 finishing weight, 84.93 days to finishing weight, 2.37:1 FCR.
- Pig 16: LW x breed, 56.7 KG at day 0, 0.851 DLG, 135.7 finishing weight, 92.83 days to finishing weight, 2.35:1 FCR.
Nutrition
- Different rations are fed depending on the stage of production (weaner ration, fattener ration, dry sow ration, and lactating sow ration).
- The rations vary in protein percentage.
- Improving FCR can increase output while maintaining or reducing production costs.
Management
- Health and disease-free animals improve FCR.
- Rescue decks are used for pigs weaned onto artificial milk replacer.
Housing
- Each house is temperature-controlled to prevent pigs from using energy from feed to keep warm.
- There is no overcrowding, resulting in no stress or bullying.
Handling and Housing of Pigs
- No specific information provided in the text.
Optimal Animal Health and Welfare
- No specific information provided in the text.
Bord Bia Accredited Scheme
- No specific information provided in the text.
Delivering Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Production Systems
- All pigs should be provided with environmental enrichment materials to encourage their natural rooting instinct and to help prevent unnatural pig behaviors such as tail biting.
The Impact of Pig Production on Farm Economics and the Importance of Export Markets
- No specific information provided in the text.
Diseases of Pigs
- No specific information provided in the text.
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts in commercial pig production, particularly focusing on the main breeds used in Ireland, such as Landrace and Large White. It also covers essential breeding practices and the reproductive cycle of sows. Test your knowledge on how these aspects contribute to effective pig farming.
