How can the economic benefits of pig farming be maximized?
The main purpose of raising pigs on a pig farm is to make a profit, and its products should be low-cost, high-quality, and suited to market demand. To this end, to improve the economic benefits of pig farming on a pig farm, it is necessary both to formulate correct business decisions so that the products are competitive in the market and sell smoothly, and to adopt advanced science and technology to increase output and reduce costs, while also doing a good job of business management in production. So how can the economic benefits of pig farming be maximized?
1. The operating scale of a family pig farm must be moderate
The size of a family pig farm and the level of economic benefits are not always in direct proportion at all times. Only when the scale of input of production factors is compatible with the farm's own level of business management, and the products are also readily marketable, can the best economic benefits be obtained.
2. Choose excellent pig breeds
Choosing excellent pig breeds is one of the effective measures for improving pig production. When choosing pig breeds, you should take into account local specific conditions, such as feed conditions and market demand for pork and its products, and it is best to choose fast-growing, well-adapted two-way or three-way crossbred pigs that have been selected through comparative trials as fattening pigs, so that each pig can save 3.0-4.5 kg of feed per day. Make full use of hybrid vigor and choose breeds that grow fast and have a large body size; such pigs have strong growth advantages and high feed returns, and sows can be sent to slaughter without being castrated. Choose crossbred pigs of more than 30 kg as commercial pigs for fattening; both foreign three-way crosses and local three-way crosses are acceptable, but foreign three-way crosses are best. At present, domestically, crossbred sows of Landrace and Large Yorkshire are mostly mated with Duroc boars to obtain the best three-way combination. The selected crossbred pigs should have a solid build, be robust and well-proportioned, and have thick bones. Under no circumstances should diseased, weak, or disabled pigs be brought in; this is the foundation for ensuring pig production performance and benefits.
3. Improve feed utilization, raise pigs scientifically, and combine feed scientifically
To adapt to its own operating scale and improve economic benefits, a family pig farm must pay attention to scientific pig raising. Besides choosing improved breeds of pigs to raise, it should feed complete compound feed, implement scientific management, and know when to slaughter and sell at the right time to increase the meat yield. In pig production, feed cost accounts for more than 70% of the total cost of pig raising, and how high or low the benefits of pig raising are depends to a large extent on how to scientifically select individual feed ingredients and combine them scientifically. Some pig raisers, because they do not know much about feed, have some misconceptions when purchasing feed, which affects the benefits of pig raising. First of all, avoid misconceptions in feed selection; laboratory indicators such as crude protein and digestible energy can only serve as reference values, and the key is to compare and look at the feed-to-meat ratio to choose high-quality, efficient feed. When using premix or concentrate, the raw materials must be mixed according to the formula, and it is essential not to scoop at random, so as to meet the nutritional needs of the pigs. Feed should be used according to the different physiological stages of the pigs (suckling pigs, piglets, growing pigs, finishing pigs, boars, and sows each have their own feeding standards); otherwise it will cause feed waste or poor pig growth. For piglets, pay attention to getting them started on feed and getting them through the supplementary feeding stage well; get them eating vigorously and get them through the weaning stage well. Never feed piglets too full, and prevent too much concentrate, otherwise it will cause diarrhea and induce edema disease. Do not change feed suddenly; when changing feed, mix the original feed with the new feed and feed that, gradually reducing the original feed and increasing the new feed, completing the feed change process over 5-7 days. The crude fiber in pig feed must not be too much, and green fodder should be combined in appropriately to prevent a single feed, so as not to cause insufficient or incomplete nutrition.
4. Master market information
Develop diversified operations. To run a family pig farm well, sell pigs at the right time, and reduce costs, you must master market information, open up many channels, develop diversified operations, give full play to your own advantages, adapt to local conditions, develop sideline operations around the main business, do the sideline operations well to support the main business, and reduce as much as possible the non-agricultural and non-industrial burdens and other management expenses of the main business, increase income and reduce expenditure, and increase economic income.
5. Attach importance to disease prevention and control
Put prevention first. If the work of “prevention” is done well, first, the pigs will grow quickly, feed returns will be high, the time to market will be shortened, and labor expenses will be reduced, and so on; second, treatment input will be reduced and feeding costs lowered. Although there are many kinds of pig diseases and the causes are complex, the leading cause of death is still infectious diseases, especially swine fever, swine erysipelas, swine pasteurellosis, swine paratyphoid, colibacillosis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. We should adhere to the principle of “disinfection first, prevention foremost, and combining prevention and treatment.” A pig farm should disinfect with pigs present at least once every 7 days, and carry out corresponding vaccine immunization at the appropriate time according to the epidemic situation in the surrounding area and on the farm. Once a sick pig is found, isolate and treat it immediately. While doing a good job of preventing and controlling infectious diseases, also be alert to chronic wasting diseases, such as parasites, enzootic pneumonia, and mange. For newly introduced piglets, it is best to mix deworming medicine into the feed within one week after entering the pen for deworming, and then deworm once more when their body weight reaches 60-70 kg.
6. Strengthen daily management and raise pigs scientifically
With the above prerequisites in place, suitable conditions of temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and ventilation are also needed for pigs to fully give play to their performance and improve feed conversion rate. Otherwise, it will cause stress in pigs, lead to a decline in resistance and immunity, increase the incidence rate and mortality rate, and cause huge losses. For newborn piglets, pay attention to assisting them in suckling and helping them fix on a teat. Generally speaking, weak and small piglets are placed on the front and middle teats, while relatively strong piglets are placed on the rear teats. Piglets should be given supplementary feed early, and at the same time attention should be paid to “small meals and frequent meals” to prevent diarrhea. When feeding finishing pigs, feed dry or wet, and after feeding let them drink water freely. At the same time, when feeding pigs, follow the principle of “fixed time and fixed amount, coarse first and fine later, feed evenly and feed to satiety.”
As long as the above points are achieved, I believe it will certainly be possible to maximize the economic benefits of pig farming for the broad community of farming friends.