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Controlled-environment buildings require much
higher investment but lower labor per unit of output.
These facilities make handling hogs easier, provide for
more direct observation of animals, allow greater control of
the production process, protect both animals and workers
from the heat, cold, rain and snow, and usually result in
faster growth to market weight and better feed efficiency.
Most controlled-environment facilities are operated in
“all-in, all-out” fashion
where pigs are moved in
groups, and buildings are thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected between groups. Controlled-environment
facilities take little land and thus leave more available
for grain production.
Pasture or outdoor production
systems involve
more acres of land and more labor per unit of output.
They require generally lower capital investment,
especially when marginal land can be used, but usually give
lower productivity in terms of output per unit of land or
labor or feed.
Interest in outdoor or pasture facilities has increased
in recent years as “systems” ideas have been imported
from Europe and as some niche markets have developed for
meat from pasture-raised pigs. Well-run pasture systems can
be cost competitive with controlled-environment operations.
Regardless of the type of facilities used, the objective
is the same: To provide the proper environment to
maximize the welfare and productivity of both animal
and worker.
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Breeding
and Gestation
The design of breeding facilities depends largely upon
the type of mating system used.
Pen mating, where
one or more boars are placed with
a group of sows, is frequently used in pasture systems.
This approach requires little labor but provides little
information about when or even if, a sow is actually
bred.
Hand mating
predominates in controlled-environment
facilities and can be used in outdoor facilities. This
method involves placing one boar with one sow and
observing to make sure that a mating occurs. This takes
more labor but results in very accurate information upon
which to base future management decisions.
Artificial insemination (AI)
is becoming more and
more common on farms of all sizes. AI allows improved
genetic material to be introduced faster and minimizes
the risk of disease transmission. AI’s greatest value is
in controlled-environment facilities where breeding
efficiency is a major factor affecting profitability.
AI involves no boar on site and requires the highest
level of management expertise and labor of all the
alternative mating systems. Commercial boar studs
now meet the demand for semen from genetically
superior boars.
Sows can be housed in groups on pasture, in groups
in controlled-environment buildings or individually in
controlled-environment buildings during breeding and
their 114-day gestation (pregnancy). Boars are usually
housed in the same way as sows. Every effort is made
to keep both boars and sows comfortable since stress
from a variety of sources can reduce litter size and
piglet livability.
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