Pig farming requires considerably more than providing feed, shelter and somewhere for pigs to roam. Whether you're managing a small outdoor herd, breeding pedigree pigs or operating a commercial pig enterprise, successful production depends on animal welfare, breeding performance, feeding efficiency, suitable housing and accurate record-keeping.
One of the biggest mistakes pig keepers can make is underestimating the cost of producing each pig. Feed, veterinary care, bedding, fencing, housing, labour, transport and regulatory requirements can quickly reduce profit margins.
A healthy-looking herd does not automatically mean a profitable business. Poor farrowing performance, high feed costs and preventable piglet losses can create financial problems that may not become obvious until the animals are sold.
Five things every pig keeper should prioritise:
- Breeding and farrowing: Maintain accurate breeding records, provide appropriate nutrition for pregnant sows and prepare clean, comfortable farrowing accommodation. Monitor farrowing carefully and have a veterinary-approved procedure for assisting sows and caring for newborn piglets.
- Housing, arks and outdoor management: Provide suitable shelter, dry bedding, adequate ventilation and protection from extreme weather. Outdoor pigs also require secure fencing, well-maintained arks and appropriate management of muddy or heavily used ground.
- Feeding and production costs: Match feed to each animal's age and production stage. Monitor feed consumption, growth rates, wastage and the cost of producing each kilogram of liveweight.
- Health and biosecurity: Maintain a herd-health plan with your veterinary surgeon. Control access to your pigs, manage new arrivals appropriately and maintain effective cleaning, disinfection and disease-prevention procedures.
- Identification, movements and paperwork: Understand the registration, identification, movement-reporting and record-keeping requirements applicable to your holding. Maintain accurate records of livestock movements, veterinary treatments, deaths and other legally required information.
The important question: Are you measuring the profitability of every pig you produce, or simply hoping the final selling price covers your costs?
Imagine running a small outdoor pig enterprise with several breeding sows. Your pigs appear healthy, your customers appreciate the quality of your pork, and demand for your produce is increasing.
However, feed prices rise, winter weather damages your paddocks, bedding costs increase and unexpected veterinary expenses affect several litters.
You eventually discover that, although you are selling more pigs than ever, your actual profit has fallen.
Would you increase production, invest in better housing, change your feeding arrangements or reassess whether your selling prices reflect the true cost of rearing your animals?
The answer depends on understanding where the money is being spent and whether your production system can deliver a sustainable return.
Farrowing: Where good management makes an enormous difference
Every piglet represents an investment in breeding, feed, housing and labour.
Poor farrowing preparation can increase the risk of piglet mortality, sow health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenditure.
Suitable farrowing accommodation should provide a safe environment for the sow and her piglets, with appropriate temperature management, clean bedding or flooring, and facilities that allow effective supervision.
Outdoor producers should regularly inspect farrowing arks to ensure they remain secure, dry, properly ventilated and suitable for prevailing weather conditions.
Farrowing records should include litter size, births, losses, treatments and weaning performance. Reviewing these figures can help identify recurring problems and guide improvements.
Feed efficiency: Where small costs become substantial expenses
Feed is commonly one of the largest costs in pig production.
However, purchasing cheaper feed does not automatically reduce the cost of producing pork.
A lower-priced ration that produces slower growth, poor feed conversion or nutritional deficiencies could ultimately cost more.
Farmers should monitor feed conversion, growth performance, feed wastage and the nutritional requirements of different production groups.
Breeding sows, lactating sows, newly weaned piglets and finishing pigs have different nutritional needs.
Clean drinking water must always be available in sufficient quantities.
The most useful calculation is not simply how much a tonne of feed costs, but how much feed and