How to Use Records in Improving the Swine Business

Detailed records are a key to a successful swine business. Records track swine reproduction, feed consumption, growth, animal health and sales. The data collected provides valuable insight for management decisions. And wise management decisions improve the profitability of the business. A workable record-keeping system need not be expensive. But it is one part of the swine business that requires consistent input from the swine producer or manager.

Things You'll Need

ID system: pictures, ear tags, ear notches or ear tattoos
Scales up to 20 and 300 pounds

Instructions

- 1
  Identify each breeding animal. In small herds, use a written description of the animal’s color and other identifying physical characteristics, or a digital photo. In large herds, use an ear-notching system, ear tags or ear tattoos to assign a number to each boar, sow and gilt.
- 2
  Prepare a file of background information for each breeding animal and list all available information. List the pedigrees or breeds of the sire and dam of the boar, sow or gilt. Include the birth weight of the breeding animal, the size of the litter, the number weaned in the litter, the weight at weaning, the days to reach 200 pounds, a health record and a description of temperament.
- 3
  As each litter is born, list the number of pigs in the litter and the birth weight of each pig. At weaning, list the number weaned and the weight of each pig. Include management practices such as vaccinations and sale information.
- 4
  If the offspring are raised to market weight, record the number of days to reach market weight and the amount of feed consumed. From this information, you can determine average daily gain and the rate of feed conversion.
- 5
  To calculate average daily gain, divide the weight gain by the number of days in the time period, usually 30 to 45. To calculate the feed conversion ratio, divide the pounds of food consumed by the pig per day by the average daily gain. An average feed conversion ratio is 3 to 1.
- 6
  Record operating expenses, including utilities, veterinary expenses, labor and repairs.
- 7
  List all sales of breeding stock, weaner pigs, feeder pigs and market hogs. Include the dates of sale, prices and purchasers.
- 8
  As new pigs enter the herd, prepare a detailed file about each animal.
- 9
  Use the data to make sound management decisions. Because feed costs often amount to 60 percent to 70 percent of the cost of production, retain breeding animals that produce large litters of fast-growing pigs. Select animals that produce pigs with high weaning weights, high average daily gains and low feed conversion ratios.
- 10
  Examine the sales records to develop a sound marketing plan. Compare the costs of raising the animals with the final sales prices. In some areas it may be more profitable to sell weaner pigs, while in other areas selling market hogs may result in a higher profit.