Swine Production Systems

Question 1

Confinement was first introduced in the _____.

Answer 1

1950’s by poultry industry

Question 2

Today, the majority of pigs in the U.S. are raised in _______ production systems.

Answer 2

Confinement

But the #s are decreasing!

Question 3

Name the 7 benefits of confinement systems.

Answer 3

1. ) Small land requirement
2. ) Low labor/unit of output
3. ) Protection from elements
4. ) Separation of manure from pigs (control disease)
5. ) Parasite control
6. ) Ease in handling pigs
7. ) Improved gains (less exercise)

Question 4

Name the 3 challenges of confinement systems.

Answer 4

1. ) Huge investment $$
2. ) Negative social opinion (overcrowding, etc.)
3. ) Controlling temperature/ventilation

Question 5

Range of environmental temps over which the heat produced by animals remains fairly constant

Answer 5

Thermoneutral zone (TNZ)

Question 6

Temperatures that vary from a pig’s TNZ result in…(2)

Answer 6

Loss of appetite

Poor reproductive performance

Question 7

How do confinement systems regulate temperatures in their facilities? (4)

Answer 7

• Misting
• Drip system cooler
• Fans
• Heat lamps

Question 8

Ventilation provides _____ and _____.

Answer 8

Airflow and relief of toxic gasses

Question 9

Heavier pigs require ______ CFM than lighter pigs.

Answer 9

Greater

Question 10

Warmer temperatures require ______ CFM than cooler temperatures.

Answer 10

Higher

Question 11

2 types of water systems used in confinement

Answer 11

1. ) Nipple waters - cleaner, less waste

2. ) Troughs - More pigs can drink at once

Question 12

Flooring options used in confinement? (3)

Answer 12

1. ) Plastic: Not as sturdy (Nursery)
2. ) Plastic-coated metal: Nursery
3. ) Concrete slabs: not forgiving

Question 13

Some important facts about Boar Stud Units:
Extremely high \_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_ semen
Young boars are \_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_.
Few in \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 13

• Extremely high biosecurity (can spread disease through semen)
• Collect, extend, ship semen
• Young boars are isolated & trained
• Few in #s

Question 14

Sow units typically contain what 4 stages?

Answer 14

Breeding
Gestation
Farrowing
Lactation

Question 15

Sows are generally _____-penned

Answer 15

Group (10-15 sows)

Question 16

Heat checks are performed _____.

Answer 16

Daily

Question 17

Sows are mainly bred via…

Answer 17

AI

Stall- or crate-bred

Question 18

Gestation period

Answer 18

114 days (3mo 3wk 3d)

Question 19

Crated until the _____ of gestation.

Answer 19

109th day

Question 20

Why do we crate during gestation? (2)

Answer 20

• Don’t want sows to get too fat (feed intake controlled)

- Don’t want them to fight with each other

Question 21

Before moving to farrowing, sows are…(2)

Answer 21

Washed and dewormed

Question 22

Average weaning age

Answer 22

21 days

Question 23

How many births are typically given in a sow’s lifetime?

Answer 23

3-4 births

Question 24

Nursery Unit Facts:
_____ moved here.
Remain until _____.
Turns over more rapidly than _____.

Answer 24

• Weaned pigs moved here
• Remain until 40-60lbs
• House 200-400 head depending on operation size
• Turns over more rapidly than finishing unit

Question 25

Finishing Unit Facts: Enter between _____. Pigs remain until they reach _____.

Answer 25

- Enter between 40-60lbs (some at weaning) | - Pigs remain until they reach market weight

Question 26

Farrow-to-Finish | What units?

Answer 26

``` All stages (Breeding --> Market weight) -Sow, nursery and finishing unit ```

Question 27

Farrow-to-Nursery What weight do they market pigs? What units? Pigs are usually _____.

Answer 27

Breeding --> Market 40-60lb pigs - Sow and nursery unit - Pigs are usually sold

Question 28

Farrow-to-Wean Market of _____ weaned pigs. Contract _____ or may maintain _____.

Answer 28

Breeding --> Market of 10-15lb weaned pigs | -Contract buyers or may maintain ownership

Question 29

Wean-to-Finish No _____; ______ Purchased _____ and fed them to market weight.

Answer 29

No nursery; finishing barn | Purchased 10-15lb weaned pigs and fed them to market weight

Question 30

Finishing Farm Purchased _____ and fed them to market weight. Sometimes called?

Answer 30

Purchased 40-60lb nursery pigs and fed them to market weight | -Sometimes Grow-Finish

Question 31

Non-confinement operations (2)

Answer 31

Pasture systems | Deep bedded systems

Question 32

Pasture operations are the _____ type of swine operation in the U.S.

Answer 32

Oldest

Question 33

Pasture Operation Facts: Involves intensive _____ and pasture _____ 2 Types?

Answer 33

-Used in all stages of production -Involves intensive production management and pasture rotation -Types: Farrow to market Gestation and farrowing

Question 34

Name the 7 benefits of pasture operations.

Answer 34

1. ) Lower initial & annual costs 2. ) Lower feed costs 3. ) Reduce risk of nutritional deficiences (iron) 4. ) Less pig-to-pig contact 5. ) Flexibility 6. ) Decreased manure management 7. ) Lower cannibalism

Question 35

Name the 5 challenges of pasture operations.

Answer 35

1. ) More labor for handling, feeding, etc. 2. ) Longer time for pigs to reach market weight 3. ) Environment (weather) 4. ) Parasite control (live in soil yrs) 5. ) Maintaining ground cover (rooting, etc.)

Question 36

Gestation and Farrowing is the _____ of pasture operation.

Answer 36

Most common type of pasture operation

Question 37

Farrow-to-Market Generally not practiced due to _____ for large # of pigs Slow _____ and poor _____.

Answer 37

Generally not practiced due to land area requirements for large # of pigs - Slow growth rate - Poor feed efficiency

Question 38

Pasture vs. Confinement - Weaning rates - Pigs weaned/sow/year - Feed efficiency - Average daily gains

Answer 38

Lower weaning rates Fewer pigs weaned/sow/year Poorer feed efficiency Lower average daily gains

Question 39

Deep Bedded Systems Facts: Bedding _____ manure. Usually used for _____ and _____ pigs.

Answer 39

- Bedding absorbs manure | - Usually used for gestation and finishing pigs

Question 40

Name the 5 benefits of deep bedded systems

Answer 40

1. ) Lower cost investment 2. ) Higher control over environment than pasture 3. ) Lower energy cost 4. ) Multiple-use building 5. ) Solid manure (easier to handle)

Question 41

Name the 5 challenges of deep bedded systems

Answer 41

1. ) Lots of bedding required 2. ) Parasites and flies 3. ) Treating and identifying sick 4. ) Increased fighting 5. ) Difficult to cool barns

Question 42

Bedding facts: Layer of _____ deep. Materials must keep _____ and _____ and absorb _____.

Answer 42

- Layer of 14-18 inches deep | - Materials must keep warm and dry and absorb moisture

Question 43

``` Finishing Operations Facts: Relatively _____ with/ confinement Lower _____ Slightly increased _____ More _____ ```

Answer 43

- Typical size holds 200 head - Relatively competitive w/confinement - Lower fixed costs - Slightly increased variable costs - More culls

Question 44

Finishing Bedded Barns compared to Confinement Summer months: Grow _____, lower _____. Winter months: Require more _____, higher _____. Overall (5)?

Answer 44

Summer months -Grow faster, lower mortality Winter months -Require more feed/lb of gain, higher mortality ``` OVERALL More backfat Smaller LEA (feed has less protein) Less lean product Greater wt variation at harvest Consume more feed ```

Question 45

Bedded Barns compared to Confinement behaviors (4)

Answer 45

More fighting Less aberrent (bad) behaviors Lower plasma cortisol levels Fewer foot injuries

Question 46

Gestation bedded barns compared to Confinement (5)

Answer 46

- Fewer feet and leg problems - Lower culling - Lower sow mortality - Lower feed costs - Equal repro performance

Question 47

In order to have success with farrowing, (3)

Answer 47

- Maintain sow groups - Longer nursing period - Keen understanding of swine

Question 48

5 major challenges facing confinement hog farmers?

Answer 48

- Costs ^ - Consumer acceptance - Manure handling - Barn adaptability - Feed costs (corn/soybean)

Question 49

4 challenges facing pasture hog farmers?

Answer 49

- Changes in temp - Parasites - Lower weight gain - Runoff

Question 50

If confinement illegal, what happens to the swine industry? (3)

Answer 50

- Less product - More expensive - Fewer pigs

Question 51

Types of bedding

Answer 51

- Hay - Straw - Sand