Instructions
Raise the weaning age to 28 days at least. In a nonorganic environment, piglets will be started on porcine plasma, dried whey and dried skim milk. Since these transition materials do not qualify as organic feed, the piglet's digestive physiology must mature prior to assuming a grain-based diet.
Block new entries into your herds. Without antibiotic feed, you can not afford to risk the infiltration of a disease carrier. Resort to the artificial insemination of sows as an alternative to introducing new boars for breeding. Select only pigs that are certified Specific Pathogen Free if starting an organic herd from scratch.
Isolate the herds from outside human contact and from contact with other species, such as house pets. Creatures can carry pathogens that are harmless to themselves but lethal to pigs. Restrict pickup or delivery vehicles to demarcated areas on the farm, maintaining as much buffer zone as possible with respect to the herds.
Clean the holding pens and other facilities at least daily, more often if time allows. Waste and dirt are breeding grounds for pathogens. Dispose of any dead pigs hygienically and in accordance with state health regulations.
Control the pigs' space, climate and ventilation with the aim of keeping them comfortable and free of stress. Stress is a particular hazard to swine health.
Consult your county extension agent regarding the right additives to starter diets. While organic feeds must be free of hormones and antibiotics, helpful fortifiers like acids, enzymes, herbs and probiotics are allowable supplements.
Consult the list of prohibited and allowable ingredients when purchasing feed components. Adherence to these rules is mandatory for organic certification.
Use a mix of grains and legumes for a balance of energy and proteins. Corn, wheat, barley, oats and rye are dependable sources of energy, while soybeans, alfalfa and sunflower seeds provide adequate protein in an organic diet. The relative proportions of these elements will change depending on season and age. Your extension agent can provide recommendations in this area.
Rotate pastures for foraging pigs. This minimizes the chances of contamination by parasites and protects the pasture from destructive rooting by the pigs.
How to Feed Pigs Organically
A desire to eat more healthily is burgeoning coast to coast, and as such, organically grown food is increasing in popularity. Consumers are willing to pay a higher cost for food when they are assured their fruits and vegetables are untainted by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Likewise, they will endure higher prices for meat, such as pork, if it is certified that it is free of antibiotics and that the animals were organically fed before slaughter. For hog farmers who are interested in converting all or part of their operations in order to receive organic certification from the United States Department of Agriculture, re-designing the feeding program is the first order of business. Surprisingly, most of the changes have little to do with food.