Pig Production Stages Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the initial stage of pig production after weaning?

Finishing

Farrowing

Breeding

Nursery (correct)

The farrowing stage lasts for 21 days.

False

What is the weight at which a female pig typically enters estrus?

200 lbs

The process of raising pigs from breeding to market weight involves several stages, including farrowing, nursery, and __________.

finishing Signup and view all the answers

Match the following stages of pig production with their durations:

Farrowing = 17 days Nursery = 45 days Finishing = 128 days Signup and view all the answers

Which country produces the most pigs per year?

China Signup and view all the answers

The trend in swine management shows an increase in the number of small farms.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the pre-weaning mortality rate of pigs in China?

40% Signup and view all the answers

The process from birth to market weight in swine management is known as __________.

Farrow to Finish Signup and view all the answers

Match the management stages with their correct descriptions:

Farrow to Finish = From birth to market weight Farrow to Feeder Pig = Managing breeding of the herd until growth Feeder to Finish = Fattening pigs to slaughter weight Pigs per litter = Increasing trend in swine production Signup and view all the answers

Which type of land is used primarily for growing crops?

Arable land Signup and view all the answers

Ruminants can digest cellulose due to the presence of specialized microbes in their stomachs.

True Signup and view all the answers

What has led to the decrease in the carbon footprint of milk production in certain areas?

Increased efficiency due to better feeding practices, breeding, and genetics. Signup and view all the answers

Cattle farming in countries like India, Brazil, and China has resulted in a _____ carbon footprint compared to California due to lower efficiency.

larger Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Synthetic fertilizers = Industrial made fertilizers containing nitrogen Rumen = Stomach compartment in ruminants for digesting cellulose Arable land = Land suitable for growing crops Carbon footprint = Total greenhouse gas emissions from milk production Signup and view all the answers

What trend is currently observed in US pork production regarding carcass weight?

Increasing Signup and view all the answers

Pre-weaning mortality rates in China are lower than those in the US.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason small farms in the US are failing?

Farms with hogs are decreasing and larger farms are taking over. Signup and view all the answers

The stage from birth to market weight in swine management is known as ______.

farrow to finish Signup and view all the answers

Match the following swine management stages with their descriptions:

Farrow to finish = From birth to market weight Farrow to feeder pig = Managing the breeding herd until growth stage Feeder to finish = Fattening pigs to reach slaughter weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical time a finishing pig will consume feed?

During the finishing stage Signup and view all the answers

The reproductive cycle of a female pig lasts approximately 21 days.

True Signup and view all the answers

At what weight do female pigs reach estrus?

200 lbs Signup and view all the answers

The nursery stage of pig production lasts for _____ days.

45 Signup and view all the answers

Match the stages of pig production with their corresponding durations:

Farrowing = 17 days Nursery = 45 days Finishing = 128 days Weaning = 8 weeks Signup and view all the answers

At what age is a boar typically used for breeding?

8-9 months Signup and view all the answers

Mature boars have a lower mating ratio compared to yearling boars.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the average litter size when a gilt is serviced only once?

9.6 Signup and view all the answers

What is the preferred method of insemination for boars?

fresh diluted semen Signup and view all the answers

Gilts should be bred until they reach their third heat period.

True Signup and view all the answers

The presence of ________ can stimulate puberty in gilts.

pheromones Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of gestation in sows?

114 days Signup and view all the answers

The average conception rate with a second service is __________.

86% Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of semen with its description:

Fresh diluted semen = Preferred for better fertility Undiluted semen = Less commonly used Liquid cooled semen = Used for short-term storage Frozen semen = Long-term storage method Signup and view all the answers

Match the mating strategies with their descriptions:

Lot or Pen mating = Bringing a boar to a group of females or vice versa Hand Mating = Increase in successful pregnancies and litter size Flushing = Improving nutritional intake to enhance reproduction Estrous Behavior = Postural standing reaction indicating readiness Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the farrow to finish system?

Grows hogs from 40-200 lbs Signup and view all the answers

Indoor production systems utilize outdoor pastures to grow pigs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of sanitation in indoor pig production systems?

Improves air quality Signup and view all the answers

Animal manure is __________ of the world's fertilizer.

half Signup and view all the answers

Match the following production concepts with their descriptions:

Farrowing Crate = Holds sows during the first weeks after giving birth Dry Sow Huts = Provides shelter for pregnant sows Biogas = Byproduct of anaerobic digestion from manure Needle Teeth Clipping = Prevents injury to piglets during nursing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for not transporting an animal that cannot walk?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Lactational estrus allows a woman to get pregnant while breastfeeding.

False Signup and view all the answers

During which days after birth are starter diets available for piglets?

Day 7-10 Signup and view all the answers

Piglets only have enough iron for __________ days.

5 Signup and view all the answers

Match the proper tools for handling pigs with their descriptions:

Snare = Used for safely restraining pigs Board = Used to guide pigs Flags = Used to direct pig movement Paddle with rattle = Used to create sound for movement guidance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nutrients primarily serves regulatory functions in swine nutrition?

Vitamins Signup and view all the answers

All classes of nutrients in swine nutrition provide energy.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary process through which triglycerides are digested in swine?

Bile Signup and view all the answers

Water primarily serves a __________ function in swine nutrition.

regulatory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following classes of nutrients with their primary functions:

Carbs = Energy/Structure Fats = Energy/Structure Proteins = Energy/Structure/Regulatory Minerals = Structure/Regulatory Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Population Growth and Agriculture

The world population tripled between 1950 and 2020.
Marginal lands are unusable for agriculture, while arable lands are suitable for crop production.
Ruminants, like cattle, can digest cellulose, allowing for the utilization of a larger portion of agricultural land.

Digestion and Ruminants

Humans can digest starch but not cellulose due to the different glucose bonds.
Ruminants have microbes in their rumen that break down cellulose.

Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers are produced industrially, containing elements like nitrogen.
Organic fertilizers come from natural sources like animal manure.

Cattle and Carbon Footprint

India, Brazil, and China collectively have more cattle than the rest of the world.
Milk production's carbon footprint varies significantly between countries.
California's efficient dairy industry has a lower carbon footprint due to advanced veterinary care and technology.

Efficiency and Carbon Footprint

Optimizing feeding practices, breeding programs, and genetics can reduce the carbon footprint of livestock production.
Countries with less efficient milk production typically have a higher carbon footprint.

Swine Management

The US pork industry has experienced an increase in carcass weight and pigs per litter.
China produces 1 billion pigs per year, representing half of the global production.
China faces a significant pre-weaning mortality rate, exceeding the US rate.

Swine Management

The total number of hog farms is decreasing, but the size of farms is increasing.
Small farms are struggling to compete with larger operations.

Farrowing Stages

Farrow to Finish: Pigs are raised from birth to market weight, typically on family farms, encompassing all stages.
Farrow to Feeder Pig: Focuses on breeding and managing the herd until they reach a weight suitable for growing.
Feeder to Finish: Pigs are fattened up to slaughter weight after reaching a certain age.

Pig Production Information

This document summarizes the stages involved in pig production, including details like their reproductive cycle.

Slaughter Stage

"Weaning to finish" involves immediate fattening of newly weaned piglets.
The complete process begins with breeding and includes gestation, farrowing, lactation, weaning, and subsequent growth to market weight.
The different stages include farrowing (17 days), nursery (45 days), and finishing (128 days).
Finishing pigs consume the most feed.
Factors driving successful production include: lower costs, increased weight gain, feed efficiency, and animal health (death rate, physical condition.)

Other Details

Farrowing stage encompasses litters, pregnant sows, and baby pigs.
Feeder stage involves weaned piglets, around 8 weeks old, being fattened up.
Finish stage involves feeder pigs being fed to reach slaughter weight.

Lecture 3: Female Pig Reproductive Information

Gilts reach puberty at 4-7 months, but breeding is typically delayed until they are 8 months old or after their third heat period.
Gilts that farrow at 1 year have an advantage, as they produce their first litter sooner.
Flushing, a practice that enhances pig nutrition, can improve reproductive performance.

Number of Services

One service results in an average litter size of 9.6 and a conception rate of 71%. This means about 29% of pigs fail to be bred.
A second service, within 12-24 hours of the first, increases the conception rate to 86% and the average litter size to 10.4. But a 14% failure rate still exists.

Mating Strategies

Lot or pen mating involves bringing the boar to a pen of females or vice versa.
Hand mating can increase pregnancy success and litter size compared to the number of ova ovulated (typically 8).

Gestation

Gestation lasts 114 days.
The majority of embryo deaths occur between days 30-35, within the first 30-35 days of gestation before farrowing.
An estimated 40% of embryos die prenatally.

Rebreeding after Farrowing

Sows typically show heat 2-7 days after farrowing.
They won't return to estrus until about 5 days after weaning.
Early weaning can shorten the time between litters.

Ovulation Rate & Time of Estrus

Litter size at birth represents only around 50-70% of the ova released.
Sows don't ovulate regularly during lactation.
Estrus usually occurs within a week after weaning.

Sows Estrous Behavior

Postural standing reactions, such as back pressure (48%) and playing boar grunt (70%), indicate a sow is in heat (estrus).
The odor of a boar can increase the likelihood of a sow showing these behaviors.

Care of Boar

Boars are used for breeding at 8-9 months of age.
Yearling boars have a lower mating ratio, while mature boars have a higher ratio.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Insemination can be done using fresh diluted semen (most effective), undiluted semen, liquid-cooled semen, or frozen semen.

Pheromones

Pheromones can stimulate puberty in gilts and enhance estrus expression in sows.

Lecture 4: Farrow to Finish Systems

Most livestock production systems operate on a Farrow To Finish basis.
They raise hogs from 40-200 lbs within 115 days.
It's a streamlined system with high capital investment in pigs but lower investment in buildings and equipment.
Low labor requirements, but high risk involved.

Indoor Production Systems

Alternatives to conventional finishing include naturally ventilated indoor systems.
Sows are kept in farrowing crates for about 3 weeks.
Outdoor systems offer another option, consisting of a central hub and individual pastures of 1 acre each.
Dry sow huts, farrowing huts, and the use of animal manure as fertilizer are common in these systems.
Biogas is a byproduct of lagoons, utilized for energy production.
Sanitation is crucial for improving air quality and microbial numbers.
Castration is performed at 1-14 days of age.
Clipping needle teeth and ear notching are also standard procedures.

Lecture 5: Lactational Estrus

Lactational estrus is a period when a woman cannot get pregnant during breastfeeding.
Piglets have a limited iron reserve, lasting only 5 days.

Transportation and Novel Environments

Trained pigs are easier to handle than untrained pigs.
Reduce novelty for pigs in unfamiliar environments.
Evaluate the risk of movement based on the pigs' reactions.
Handle pigs calmly, utilizing their flight zone to maintain control.
Avoid using your knees to move pigs.
Move pigs in small groups.

Use Proper Tools

Electric prods are not recommended for pigs, but are permissible for cattle.
Snares, boards, flags, and paddles with rattles are suitable tools for handling pigs.

Transportation

Ensure adequate temperature and ventilation during transportation.
Provide sufficient floor area and a suitable surface.
Never transport a non-ambulatory animal.
Practice proper sanitation.
Avoid sharp objects that could injure the animals.

Tail Docking

Tail docking is performed at 7-10 days after birth to prevent tail biting.

Swine Nutrition

Classes of Nutrients

Carbohydrates provide energy and structural components.
Fats offer energy, contribute to structure, and play regulatory roles.
Proteins are essential for energy, structural development, and regulation.
Minerals have structural, regulatory, and functional roles.
Water is crucial for regulatory processes.
Vitamins play essential regulatory roles.

Digestion Processes

Carbohydrates are broken down into monosaccharides.
Fats (triglycerides) are digested through bile.
Proteins are digested into peptides and then amino acids.

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with FDA regulations for drug withdrawal times and labeling requirements.
DEA compliance for controlled substances.
USDA-APHIS animal care standards.

Transportation

Do not transport non-ambulatory animals.
Maintain proper sanitation during transportation.
Avoid sharp objects within the transportation vehicle.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the various stages of pig production, from farrowing to market weight. This quiz covers essential terminology, management practices, and statistics related to swine farming. Ideal for those studying animal husbandry and agriculture.