cornell small farms program - raising pastured pigs

8/3/2019 Cornell Small Farms Program - Raising Pastured Pigs

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Cornell Small Farms Program &Department of Animal Science

Livestock Fact Sheets

Raising Pastured Pigs Revised 10/7/05

Introduction

More consumers are requesting that their meatproducts come from farms that raise theirlivestock with specific attention paid to housingand management style.

Pasture based swine systems use pasture in thesummer and loose hoop housing in the winter.Sows are fed in small groups and generallygiven a choice of huts to use during farrowing,whether it is inside the hoop house duringwinter or on pasture during the summer.

General terminology used:Barrow -- Male pig castrated before sexualmaturity.Boar -- Intact (not castrated) male pig.Gilt -- Female pig of any age prior to secondpregnancy.Pig -- Young swine of either sex.Piglet -- Baby pig.Sow -- Female swine having produced one ormore litters.Farrow -- To give birth to a litter of piglets.

Breeds

The breeds that do the best in pasture basedsystems are not the refined white market hogsfound in commercial systems. Preferenceshould be made to purchase breeding stockfrom hogs that have been raised on pasture

systems or have been selected to have a highertolerance for stress and adaptability to rangeconditions. Pasture-raised hogs face differentstresses and require different traits, such ashardiness in extreme climates, parasiteresistance, foraging ability, and good motheringattributes

Some traditional and heritage swine breeds stillretain these characteristics. These breedsinclude the Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc,Hampshire, Spotted, Tamworth, Poland China,Large Black, Hereford, and Gloucester OldSpot Pig.

Duroc

Hampshire

Feed Requirements

Good pasture, young and lush, can supplymany nutrients to grazing sows. Bred sows andgilts on legume pastures require much lesssupplemental protein and only one-half asmuch concentrate as those in dry lots. An acreof good pasture should carry 8 to 10 sows. Asa general guideline sows should receive 2

pounds of concentrate a day on good pasturewith gilts receiving 3 pounds per day duringpregnancy. During lactation, 2 to 3 pounds of15 percent protein concentrate per 100 poundsbody weight is recommended.

Once piglets are weaned, at approx 6 weeks ofage, they can be raised in a separate pasturearea. Many producers may also start with


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weaned pigs for their farm enterprise.Growing-finishing hogs in most cases shouldbe full-fed (given concentrate feeds) while onpasture keeping stocking rates around 20 pigsper acre.

Facilities

Electric fencing works well for swine.Remember that you will need to train the pigsto the fence before letting them out in a largearea. Electrified netting can also be used,especially with small pigs. Gathering areas orcatch pens should be constructed with four footwire mesh panels.

Huts can be home made from local lumber

sources. Huts spread out on pasture providesows with a place to farrow (give birth) and useas shelter during inclement weather. Makingsure of adequate room for sow and piglets isnecessary to prevent accidental crushing ofnewborns by the sow.

http://www.clt.astate.edu/dkennedy/hut.htm

Tom Frantzen, a pasture pork producer in Iowa,advices that 75 square feet may be the bestfarrowing hut size to allow adequate size forthe sow and piglets. Huts that are smaller thanthis may cause more piglet mortality due tocrushing when the sow lay down. Huts can bebedded with straw or poor quality grass hay.

Handling and Labor Requirements

I. Health

Sows managed in pastures are generally ingood health and incidence of respiratorydisease and feet and leg problem are reduced.

However, since rotating pastures does noteliminate parasites, rigorous control programsneed to be used. Seek advice from yourveterinarian about parasite control andvaccinations for the mature herd.

Iron shots may or may not need to be given tonewborn piglets, depending upon theirexposure to iron in the soil. Some research hasshown growth and health benefits for newbornpiglets given iron shots even in outdoor

systems. Consult with other local hogproducers that also use pasture systems forrecommendations.

Labor requirements are highest for farrowing,feeding and rotating animals among pastures.

II. Management

Obtain breeding stock from farms that are usingpasture systems or gradually exposetraditionally raised animals to the conditionsthey will face when managed outside.

Shade is an important factor to keep in mindwhen placing hogs on pasture. Swine cannotsweat and need to cool through panting,therefore in summer they may need watercooling systems (sprinkler on hose, manualwetting). Providing adequate water is essential,especially during hot weather.

Castration of male pigs should be performedbefore two weeks of age. This is done with aknife by making two small incisions andremoving the testicles. Only proficient personsshould perform this task. Educationalopportunities can be sought from yourveterinarian or extension personal.

Cornell Swine Specialist

Dr. Tro BuiMorrison Hall


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Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY [email protected]

Level of SkillPros:

Potential for lower feed cost thantraditional systems

Use of land not suitable for crops Premium prices paid for pasture raised

pork

Cons:

More labor required for handling,feeding and watering

Labor requirement high duringfarrowing

Susceptible to parasites Pasture management is critical Adverse weather conditions

Animal Source

To locate swine producers in New York Statecontact:New York State Pork Producers

James Patsos, Executive Secretary315-568-2750

Market Availability

Many producers raise hogs to sell as feeder pigs

for other small farms, 4-H kids exhibiting atlocal fairs or summer barbeque season. Othermarketing channels are local farmers markets,freezer trade and restaurants.

Niman Ranch is a company that works withfarms across the US to raise hogs under specificguidelines. They require farms to use pastureor deep bedded packs and prohibit use ofantibiotics and growth-promoting hormones.For more information about the Niman Ranch

Pork Company contact them at: 2551 EagleAvenue, Thornton, Iowa 50479, phone: 641-998-2683, www.nimanranch.com or PaulWillis, Manager, [email protected]

Resources

Mark S. Honeyman is Coordinator of IowaState University Research and DemonstrationFarms and Associate Professor in theDepartment of Animal Science. Honeyman haswritten many articles on sustainable hogproduction and is currently doing research onhoop shelters and Swedish deep-bedded groupnursing systems.

Mark S. HoneymanIowa State UniversityB1 Curtiss HallAmes, IA 50011-1050(515) 294-4621 or (515) 294-3849;Fax: (515) 294-6210

The 1999 three-ringed binder entitled SwineSourcebook: Alternatives for Pork Producers isan excellent collection of scientificpublications, popular press articles, and on-farm examples of sustainable swine production;hoop structures, pasture systems, and manyother areas. To order, send a check or moneyorder made out to the University of Minnesotafor $17.50 plus $4.00 for shipping to:

Reproductive Statistics for SwineFEMALE

Age of puberty 4 to 7 months

Breeding weight 150 to 175 pounds

Estrous cycle

Interval Avg. 21 days

Duration 2 to 3 days

Signs Standing when handpressure placed onback

Ovulation 12 to 36 hrs from

onset of standingheat

Gestation length 114 days

Breeding season Year round

MALE

Age of puberty 8 months

Breeding weight 150 to 175 pounds

Breeding season All year

Breeding ratio 1 boar : 25 sows


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cornell small farms program - raising pastured pigs

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