The Pork Industry at a Glance - National Pork Board

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Quick Facts Quick Facts Introduction Table of Pork Did You Pork The History FAQ Contents Checkoff Know Facts of Pork Timeline Producers also use various genetic lines derived from these breeds. Virtually all market pigs are produced by crossing purebred breeds or using multigenetic lines to take advantage of heterosis or hybrid vigor. Heterosis is a biological phenomenon in which the offspring of a mating of two separate breeds or lines performs better than the average of their parents. Crossbred offspring, such as the pork industry’s SYMBOL III (described on the previous page) grow faster, have lower mortality rates and convert feed to meat more efficiently. Symbol III is a visual image of the ideal pig. Rotational breeding systems involve the successive use of boars of different breeds and the retention of gilts that are superior for growth rate, leanness and reproductive potential (as evidenced by their mothers’ reproductive record). These systems reduce out-of-pocket breeding stock expenses since replacement females are home-raised. However, the retention of gilts from all sires means that all sires must be selected for superior genetic potential for carcass (backfat, muscling), production (feed efficiency, growth rate) and reproduction (pigs per litter, milking ability) traits. Boars that are above average in all three types of traits are not likely to be truly superior in any one area. Terminal breeding systems involve crossing boar lines selected strictly for carcass and production traits with gilt lines that are selected mainly for reproductive potential. These matings, usually involve artificial insemination (AI) and produce offspring that are all marketed (therefore the name “terminal”), with no gilts retained for breeding. Since terminal boars are selected without concern for reproductive potential (remember that no gilts will be kept from the matings), ones that are truly exceptional for carcass and production traits can be used for breeding. The same is true of gilt lines. Emphasis can be placed on reproduction, with other traits being important but secondary. Gilt lines used in modern terminal breeding systems involve mainly the white breeds – Yorkshire, Landrace and Chester White. These breeds are generally superior in reproductive traits, such as litter size, milk production and docile temperament. Most terminal sire lines use the colored breeds, which are generally more durable, leaner and heavier muscled. A major change in the pork industry since 1980 has been the shift from rotational to terminal breeding systems. This change was brought about largely by pig-pricing systems that explicitly reward leaner hogs and penalize fatter pigs, as well as a more thorough understanding of the economic importance of high reproductive efficiency. Today, the majority of pigs in the U.S. are produced from terminal breeding systems. Many of the most modern pork production systems have gone to a closed-herd concept, where all the breeding females are produced in-house. Genetic advances are made strictly through the use of boar semen brought in from the outside. The major advantage of this system is that it reduces possibility of introducing any new diseases to the operation and thus enhances pigs’ health status. Swine Production Systems Whether pigs are raised in pastures or in enclosed barns, systems approaches dominate pork production. Repeatable methods and specialization characterize the modern pork producers regardless of the type of facilities that they use. The choice of facility type is mainly a balancing of 46 Pork Production Today
Pork Production Public Pork Names and Environment Stats Glossary Today Health Safety Numbers Quick Facts Quick Facts Housing System Description Benefits Challenges Barn (Confinement) • Either naturally or mechanically ventilated, or a combination of the two, depending on the season. • Bedding optional. • Can accommodate group and individual housing. • Reasonable control of the environment. • Separation of manure from the pig resulting in fewer opportunities for disease transmission. • Easy to clean and disinfect. • Multiple pens allow for split-sex feeding and separation of pigs by weight. • Excellent parasite control opportunities. • Multiple pens and feeders allow for age-appropriate diets to be fed. • Less time required for observing and managing pigs. • High capital investment in a single purpose building. Hoop Barn • A lower-cost facility. • Deep bedding used to absorb manure, which is handled as a solid. • Usually used for gestation and grow-finish pigs. • Group sizes often 100 or more. • Low investment cost per pig. • Multiple-use building (can be used for other storage purposes if not for pigs). • Reasonable control of the environment with adequate bedding. • Lots of bedding required plus a place to store the bedding. • Can be difficult to cool pigs in hot, humid weather. • More difficult to identify and treat sick pigs. • Difficult to clean and disinfect. • Difficult to separate pigs from the manure. • More time required for handling and bedding pigs. Pasture • Used for all stages of production, with obvious seasonal limitations for winter production in some parts of the United States. • Pasture production systems involve intensive production management and pasture rotation. • Low cost of facilities, but the opportunity cost of the land for crop production must be considered. • Ability to disperse pigs over a large area. • Low cost of facilities. • Quality forage on the pasture can meet a portion of pigs’ nutritional needs. • Ability to root and forage. • Minimal control of the environment. • Difficult to clean and disinfect, requiring adequate pastures to allow for rotation to clean ground each year. • Controlling predators necessary. • Control of diseases spread by wild animals. • Managing in cold, hot or rainy weather. • Parasite control needed. • More time required for individually treating and handling pigs. • Ground cover needs to be maintained. Pork Production Today 47
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The Pork Industry at a Glance - National Pork Board

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