Commercial pig farming is the practice of breeding and raising domestic pigs for the purpose of food production. This practice is also known by some other names such as pork farming and hog farming. Commercial production is done mainly for pork, bacon, ham, gammon and skin production. The pigs are used and valued as a source of meat and fat, and also for their ability to convert low quality food into good quality meat and manure. In some areas, the pigs are raised to dispose of municipal garbage on a large scale.
Previously, the farm pigs were kept in small numbers for family consumption only. But today, the pigs are raised in both extensive and intensive farming system in commercial farms. But most of the people use to raise them in intensive system in commercial system and this is most popular. Intensive system has the potential to raise a large number of pigs in a very cost-efficient manner. Some pig farms in the developed nations house thousands of pigs in climate-controlled buildings.
Pigs are actually among the most popular farm animals, with more than one billion pigs butchered each year throughout the world. Among these pigs, more than 100 million are butchered in the United States alone. The majority of pigs are used for human food. But some are also butchered to supply skin, fat and other materials for use in clothing and ingredients for processed foods, cosmetics and also for medical use.
Commercial pig farming is a very popular business in many countries around the world. But the main pig products consuming countries are in Asia. So, there is a significant international and even intercontinental trade in live and slaughtered pigs. China is the top importers of pigs and China consumes about 50 percent of global pork production. So, there is a huge potential of commercial pig farming business if you can target international market. The largest exporters of pigs are the United States, the European Union, and Canada.
Pigs are very strong and hardy animals, and they are well adapted to a wide variety of climatic conditions. Raising pigs is very easy and simple, and they grow relatively faster. So, you will get your invested money back within a very short period of time. If you start pig farming business in small scale, then you can make use of your family labor and feed the pigs your household food waste.
Steps for starting pig farming business
Commercial pig farming is a very easy and simple process, but it is a very profitable business. You can start this business easily, even if you are a beginner. Although, we recommend learning more about this business practically before starting commercial production. Start with a few pigs initially, gather knowledge and expand your business gradually. Follow the steps mentioned here for starting and operating your pig farming business successfully.
Know local regulations or zoning laws
Before starting commercial pig farming business, try to know the local regulations or zoning laws. Starting and operating a pig farming business is not allowed everywhere. For example, starting commercial production of pigs is not allowed in most metro and residential areas. So, check any local regulations or zoning laws before starting your commercial pig production business.
Gather practical knowledge/experience
Like many other livestock farming business, having practical experience is also very important for starting and operating a successful pig farming business. Try so visit some existing pig farms in your area to learn more about this business.
Complete a pig farming training
Completing a training is highly beneficial for starting and operating a profitable business. So, try to complete a pig farming training from any government or private organizations.
Determine your goal
Determining your goal is also very important and you should determine your goal about what you want from this operation. Determine what you want from this business and set the right strategies for achieving your goal. Hard work has no substitute. So, try to work hard to achieve your goal.
Make an effective pig farming business plan
A good and effective pig farming business plan helps to run your business perfectly and ensures maximum profits from your operation. So, try to make a very good business plan and do everything according to the plan. Try to include everything in your business plan from the beginning to marketing your products. You can ask for help from an expert for making the business plan, especially if you are a beginner.
Select a good location
Selecting a very good location with all the required facilities is also very important. Try to select a calm and noiseless place which is far from the residential areas. Ensure the availability of clean and fresh water and good transportation system. Good transportation service will help you to market your products easily and also to buy required things.
Determine the products from your farm
Determine the products you want to produce from your farm. Pigs are mainly raised for bacon, ham, gammon and skins. So, determine the right products you want to produce from your farm and select the right breed.
Select good breeds
There are numerous pig breeds available throughout the world. But all of these breeds are not suitable for commercial production. And all of these breeds are not good for producing all pig products. Some of these pig breeds are good for bacon production, some are good for producing ham, and some are good for producing gammon. So, try to choose the breed wisely. You should choose such breeds which are easily available in your area.
You can consult with some local expert or existing pig producers within your area and ask him/her for help to select the right breed for your business. Some most common and widely popular commercial pig breeds are Duroc, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Landrace, Spotted, Chester White, Berkshire and Poland China. You can choose any of these breeds depending on it’s availability. You can also consider raising your local breeds.
Make a good house/shelter
Making a good shelter or housing system for your pigs is very important. Because a good and secure house helps to keep the pigs healthy, active and free from predators and health problems. A good house also helps the animals to stay safe from adverse weather conditions. Install good ventilation system inside the house to ensure enough flow of fresh air. Make separate rooms for keeping boar, farrowing, weaner and dry sow separated from each other. Depending upon the breed, a mature pig will require between 20 and 40 square feet housing space.
Purchase pig farming equipment
Purchase required pig farming equipment. Using of these equipment is beneficial for making the pig farming process easy. Some common and must have pig farming equipment are:
- Pig pens and stalls
- Farrowing crates
- Heating lamps and pads
- Ventilation system
- Cooling systems
- Insulation materials
- Feeder
- Waterer
- Feed storage bins
- Vaccination guns
- Health monitoring equipment
- Protective clothing and footwear
- AI kits
- Pregnancy testing kits
- Fencing and gates
- Handling tools
Purchase pigs
Always try to purchase good quality, healthy and active pigs for successful pig farming business. Good quality pigs will ensure good production and you will be able to make good profits from this business. So, try to purchase good quality and healthy pigs from the local suppliers with good reputation. Check detailed breeding history of the animal before purchasing. You can ask for help from a local expert if you are a beginner.
Take good care of the piglets
Taking good care of the piglets ensures good production when they become mature. So, always try to take good care of the piglets. Feed them well with good quality and nutritious starter feed. And always provide them enough clean and fresh drinking water. Vaccinate them and apply medicine if required.
Feed the pigs nutritious food
Feeding the pigs with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of commercial pig farming business. Good quality and nutritious food not only help the pigs to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and gain weight faster. Pigs can be fed with almost everything from kitchen waste to commercial feeds. But in case of commercial production, they are fed on commercial foods. You can also prepare the food yourself by mixing the ingredients. Basic ingredients of pig feed are maize, wheat, rice, oat, sorghum and millets. Add some protein supplements such as oil cakes, fishmeal and meat meal. And add all types of required mineral supplements and vitamins.
Ensure access to fresh and clean water
Along with feeding the pigs with very good quality and nutritious food, always try to provide them with enough fresh and clean drinking water as per their demand. Pigs require a lot of water daily.
Practice good pig breeding management
Pigs are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of sows and boars in your farm. Pigs generally reach maturity faster, within their 8 months of age in most cases. Heat period of a sow lasts for 2-3 days. But the first day during the heat period of a gilt is the best time to breed her, and the second day is best for breeding a sow. A lactating sow become ready for breeding again 2-10 days after weaning. Average gestation period of pigs is around 115 days. A sow can generally give birth of 8-12 piglets each time, and twice a year.
Learn about pig diseases and their control
Just like many other domestic animals, the pigs are also susceptible to some diseases and health problems. Although, these animals suffer diseases and health problems less. You should learn about these diseases and health problems and take necessary steps for controlling them.
Caring the growing and productive pigs
Good caring of the animals is very important for getting good production from your business. Pigs are naturally very strong and hardy animals and they generally require less caring and other management. Although, taking good caring will ensure good production and maximum profits. Maintain proper hygiene system inside the house and doing this will help the animals to stay free from most of the common diseases and health problems. Keep the breeding boars and nursing sows in separate room. Never provide the animals with polluted water and contaminated foods. Take extra care of the pregnant and lactating sows. Don’t allow visitors inside your pig farm and call a vet if you notice anything uncommon.
Vaccinate timely
Vaccinate the pigs timely to keep them safe from common swine diseases such as swine influenza, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and porcine circovirus.
Marketing
Marketing pigs and pig products is very easy. Pig products have very good demand and value in the market. So you will be able to sell your products easily in the market. Although, we recommend determining your marketing strategies before starting.
Calculate total costs and profits
Keep record of all costs from the beginning. And also keep records of income from when you start selling your pigs/pig products. And at the last calculate the loss or profit. Commercial pig farming is a traditional business and people are raising pigs from the ancient time. It is a very profitable business and you will also be able to make good profits from this business if you follow all the steps carefully.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful pig farming business. Commercial pig farming is relatively easy and the beginners can also start making profits. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck!