How can the economic benefits of pig farming be effectively improved?

The operating scale of a family pig farm should be moderate

The size of a family pig farm and the level of economic benefits are not always directly proportional. Only when the scale of production factor input is compatible with the management level of the farm, and the products are readily marketable, can the best economic benefits be obtained.

Select excellent pig breeds

Selecting excellent pig breeds is one of the effective measures to improve pig production. When selecting pig breeds, local specific conditions should be taken into account, such as feed conditions and market demand for pork and its products. It is best to select fast-growing, well-adapted two-way or three-way crossbred pigs that have been screened through comparative trials as fattening pigs, which can save 3.0-4.5 kg of feed per pig per day. Make full use of hybrid vigor and select breeds that grow fast and have a large body size; such pigs have strong growth advantages and high feed efficiency, and sows can be sent to market without being spayed. Select crossbred pigs weighing over 30 kg as commercial pigs for fattening; either foreign three-way crosses or local three-way crosses are acceptable, but foreign three-way crosses are the 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 physique, be robust and well-proportioned, and have thick bones. Diseased, weak, and disabled pigs must absolutely not be brought in; this is the foundation for ensuring pig production performance and benefits.

Improve feed utilization rate, raise pigs scientifically, and formulate feed scientifically

To adapt to its own operating scale and improve economic benefits, a family pig farm must practice scientific pig raising. In addition to selecting improved breed pigs, it should feed full-price compound feed, implement scientific management, and master timely slaughtering and selling to improve the meat yield. In pig production, feed cost accounts for more than 70% of the total cost of pig raising. The level of pig farming benefits depends to a large extent on how to scientifically select individual feed ingredients and scientifically combine them. Some pig farmers, because they do not know much about feed-related knowledge, have some misunderstandings when purchasing feed, which affects pig farming benefits. First, avoid misunderstandings in feed selection. Testing indicators such as crude protein and digestible energy can only serve as reference values. The key is to compare and look at the feed-to-meat ratio, and select high-quality and efficient feed. When choosing premix or concentrate, raw materials must be proportioned according to the formula, and must not be scooped at will; only in this way can the nutritional needs of pigs be met. Feed should be used according to the different physiological stages of pigs (suckling pigs, small pigs, medium pigs, large pigs, boars, and sows each have their own feeding standards); otherwise it will cause feed waste or poor pig growth. For piglets, attention should be paid to getting them to start eating and to passing the supplementary feeding stage well; and to getting them to eat vigorously and to passing the weaning stage well. Piglets must not be fed too full, to 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 mixture, 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. Appropriately include green fodder to prevent a single feed type, so as to avoid insufficient and incomplete nutrition.

Keep abreast of market information

Develop diversified operations. To run a family pig farm well, sell pigs at the right time, and reduce costs, it is necessary to keep abreast of market information, open up multiple channels, develop diversified operations, fully leverage one's own advantages, adapt measures to local conditions, develop side businesses around the main business, and use good side businesses to support the main business, minimizing external industrial and agricultural burdens and other management expenses of the main business, increasing income and reducing expenditure, and raising economic income.

Attach importance to disease prevention and control

Prevention first. If the word "prevention" is done well, first, pigs grow quickly, feed efficiency is high, the time to market is shortened, and labor costs are reduced; second, treatment investment is reduced and feeding costs are lowered. Although there are many types of pig diseases and the causes are complex, the leading cause of death is still infectious diseases, especially swine fever, swine erysipelas, swine pneumonia, 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." Pig farms should disinfect with pigs present at least once every 7 days, and carry out corresponding vaccine immunization in a timely manner 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 in preventing and controlling infectious diseases, also be alert to chronic wasting diseases, such as parasites, panting disease, and mange. For newly introduced piglets, it is best to mix deworming medicine into the feed for deworming within one week of entering the pen, and then deworm once more when their body weight reaches 60-70 kg.

Strengthen daily management and raise pigs scientifically

With the above prerequisites in place, suitable temperature, humidity, cleanliness, ventilation, and other comfortable conditions are also needed for pigs to fully realize their performance and improve feed conversion rate. Otherwise, it will cause stress in pigs, leading to decreased resistance and immunity, increased morbidity and mortality, and huge losses. For newborn piglets, assist with suckling and help them fix on teats. Generally speaking, weak and small piglets should be placed on the front and middle teats, and relatively strong piglets on the rear teats. Piglets should be given supplementary feed early, and attention should be paid to "smaller meals, more frequently" to prevent diarrhea. For feeding fattening pigs, use dry feeding or wet feeding, and provide free access to drinking water after feeding. At the same time, feeding pigs should follow the principle of "fixed time and fixed amount, coarse first and fine later, feed evenly and feed to fullness."