SAE:

 Develop a small swine operation

Description:

-A swine operation is easy to establish and "grow into" due to the short gestation and generation interval. An operation may be started with breeding gilts purchased for show. Approximately 10 sows should provide a good economic return by concentrating on a viable niche market selling show pigs. Females would be farrowed twice per year for Fall and Spring pigs. These pigs could be sold in a special sale or by private treaty on the farm.

-By gestating the sows on pasture and farrowing in huts, this would eliminate the expense of special facilities and farrowing houses. Weaned pigs could be housed in portable nurseries until sold. Females would be bred by artificial insemination to terminal, show pig sires

-Feed could be purchased by bulk. This would be the greatest expense to the enterprise.

-Outside pens could be rotated to lessen the parasite infestation.

-This enterprise would offer tremendous experience in swine health, artificial insemination, nutrition, farrowing management, and marketing.

Factors To Consider

Ranking: 1 = lowest 10 = highest

Time required

5 

Investment

 4

Equipment needed

 5

Skills required

 5

Facilities required

 3

Land required

 3

Labor Intensity

 5

Potential for income

 7

Transportation required

 3

Expansion possibilities

 10

Expertise needed

 5

Advertising needed

 6

Susceptible to disease

 4

Susceptible to insects

 4

Suitable for residential areas

 1

Other (specify)

Length of production cycle

 Year around

Regional

 No

When to start project

 Anytime

Notes:

  Avoid foot traffic from visitors on the farm.

  Isolate new breeding stock for a minimum of 30 days.

Sources of Additional Information:

  Area Livestock Teachers

  National Swine Registry & National Pork Producers Council