Pig farming as a business. Raising pigs: technology, reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Pig breeding is considered to be the most profitable direction in animal husbandry. This is due to the fact that these animals quickly gain weight and are unpretentious in food. However, do not forget that, like any business, this one will require investment, risk and constant participation in the business.

How to start breeding pigs

Pig farming as a business can only be considered by those who have prepared a specific plan and are ready to engage in raising animals day after day. Despite the fact that the business started will require huge investments and patience, the results that it can bring will fully compensate for all the efforts. Pig breeding is divided into two areas: raising animals for meat and breeding, which is not considered as an independent business. By itself, it is unprofitable. Pork is always a popular product. The result of production is meat, fat, hide and blood. They are purchased by sausage factories, workshops, chains of grocery stores and dealers in the market. Smoked sausages and lardcan be stored for a long time, which allows you to increase the duration of the sale of products without compromising its taste. It is the sale of meat that makes this business profitable.

If we are talking about breeding pigs for the needs of your family within the same barn, then you can do without complex calculations. But time and money will still have to be invested.

Pig farming for beginner breeders should start with a business plan. It should take into account aspects such as the organization of the farm, possible markets, feed purchases, breeds of pigs and their cost, maintenance costs. Separately, it is necessary to identify all possible risks and ways to reduce them. To effectively start a business, it is recommended to attract experienced professionals, among whom should be a livestock specialist.

Farm organization

When looking at pig farming as a business, the focus should be on the farm. The room should be bright, clean and without drafts. The optimal area for a 300 head herd is 5,000 square meters. meters. This will make it possible to place household, office and production rooms, as well as a laboratory in it.

Particular attention with various farm arrangements must be paid to manure removal. This is a very important factor in meeting he alth and hygiene standards, and therefore for he althy livestock growth.

No less important is what equipment will be installed on the farm. Equipment for pig breeding must meet the latest requirements in order to exclude animal diseases. Fromthe success of the business depends on how modern it will be. European companies remain leaders in the production and development of such equipment. Modern farms are equipped in such a way that most of the process occurs automatically. These include electronic feeding systems, and separate areas for insemination of the sow, for farrowing, growing piglets and fattening. In Russia, such farms are still a rarity. It uses equipment that is 15-20 years old. Half of it doesn't work. The result of such activity is losses.

Acquisition of pigs

To organize a farm for a beginner pig breeder, experts recommend purchasing a herd of 300 heads. There should be no more than 10 sires in the herd, at least 150 sows. This will be the main potential for replenishing the herd. Almost half of the livestock will need to be fattened and sold to raise funds. It is better to buy pigs in dozens from different owners in order to prevent mating of animals that are close in pedigree. The choice must be made with an experienced zootechnician or veterinarian, who will immediately determine the state of he alth of the animal. If there are many individuals with an unhe althy appearance on the farm where it is planned to purchase piglets, it is better not to risk it. And look for another farmer. In any case, this must be done in breeding farms.

Pig breeds

There are about 100 breeds of pigs in the world. To select livestock, you need to carefully study them. Each of them has its pros and cons. Pigs are bred for meat, lard and bacon. Breeds of pigs differ in terms of what more can be obtained from them. There are differences in their fecundity and resistance to temperature changes. They differ in skin color and temperament.

32 breeds of pigs are actively used in Russia. Photos of some of them are presented below.

1. Large white. The most common breed in Russia and the CIS.

2. Landrace.

3. Duroc.

Even outwardly you can see how different all these representatives are.

Pig keeping

Pig farming as a business has the main goal - to grow the livestock that is, and provide offspring to replenish the herd. To do this, it is necessary to take into account all factors, including the season.

It is better to start raising pigs in early spring. These animals are very thermophilic. During the warm season, a 25 kg pig grows into a 115 kg pig. With such a mass, they are already ready for sale. Piglets born during the warm period will get stronger and gain weight faster.

Pigs need to drink a lot to grow normally. If the water supply is not automated, then it must be provided in another way. Leaving a trough with water is not recommended, as it can easily be turned over. Animals will be left without water.

Pigs are very positive about feeding. Food should be balanced according to their age. Normal weight gain shouldbe 0.5 kg per day.

Pig rearing technologies

The breeding technologies of these animals have many differences. But they all relate to feeding and keeping the herd. Each farmer chooses the one that is the most economically acceptable for him and meets the tasks set.

Technologies differ in their approach to keeping pigs. Some are designed for the free movement of the herd. Others completely block it and focus on keeping the animal in a narrow cage.

There are various Danish, Brazilian, German, Canadian, Finnish technologies in the world. Each of them has its opponents and supporters. In Russia, the technology of breeding pigs in hangars is gaining popularity. It is very economical in terms of building a farm.

Those who have already started this business unanimously say that with any technology, the source material (pigs), quality investments in their cultivation and market prices at the time of delivery of products are important factors for making a profit.

Development of pig production in Russia

Pig breeding is developing poorly in Russia. As a business, this type of animal husbandry is not profitable for small farms. This is due to the fact that new technologies based on the capabilities of modern equipment are not being introduced in most farms. Russian factories that produced equipment for pig breeding have almost completely stopped. Which leads to the use of old energy-intensive technologies for keeping animals. This affects costs and reduces profitability.production.

Pig breeding in Russia is represented by a number of the largest companies that have not given up their positions for several years.

TOP 5 most successful pork producers in Russia

n/n	Company name	Production 2013	Production 2012
1.	GK Miratorg	356 t	241, 1 t
2.	GK Cherkizovo	158 t	115 t
3.	GK Agro-Belogorye LLC	148 t	117, 5t
4.	GC "Rusagro"	116 t	57, 8 t
5.	Agrarian Group CJSC	67 t	53, 1 t

As you can see from the table, the increase in production is obvious. But on a national scale, this figure is very small. Recently, special attention has been paid to the development of pig breeding. This is due to the reorientation of Russia to the domestic market and the ban on the import of meat from Europe and the United States. For the development of farms, the government plans to allocate special subsidies.