Lehman FFASwine Guide

CostA major factor to account for when raising a livestock project is the financial aspect, which can require some planning. In the chart below is an estimate of what it would cost to raise a single show pig. Please be aware that this is only an estimate and some unexpected cost may arise through the process. Also know that this is the estimated costs for the year, not all of it is paid up front, but rather spread through the duration of the project.

*The more you spend on the initial pig, the better your chances of going to auction*

Item Cost

1 Swine* $500+

Feed

~1 bag per week for 13 weeks

~$20/bag

$260

Entry Fees County Only - $25

Major Show - $25+parking

Pen rent at Buda Vo-Ag (if animal is not kept at home) $120 for year

Swine pen (if animal is kept at home) Price varies

Feed Storage Bin (large plastic tote will work)

$15

Feed Scoop $5

Feeder $20

Waterer (if kept at home)

-should use galvanized pipe with a water nipple

~$50

Show whip ~$15-$30

Additional Supplies (ex. Show brush, shampoo and conditioner, spray bottle, 1-2 gallon bucket, etc.)

~$100-$200

APPROXIMATE TOTAL$1200 - $1500 (depends on preference and personal needs)

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Choosing the Right PigOne of your advisors will help you select a pig from a reliable breeder for your project.

Market swine are raised to be slaughtered for meat. Choose healthy pigs that will grow fast and efficiently and that have the potential to produce meat that packers will want to buy and people will want to eat. Consumers prefer to eat pork that is lean and has very little fat or bone to go to waste, so we need to grow meaty hogs that are not too fat.

Hogs to be shown at Hays County Livestock should weigh between 175 and 275 pounds. The average market weight is around 245 pounds. Hogs that have around 0.6 inch of 10th rib back fat are preferred. At slaughter weight, ideal market hogs are long-bodied and level over their top when viewed from the sides. They have wide, muscular loins, and large, meaty hams. They should be free of excess fat covering their back and shoulder.

*How big should my pig be?

The first step is to figure out how many days you’ll be feeding your pig from the day you buy it until you show. You can use the following table to estimate the size pig you should start with:

Days until Show Pig Size (pounds)

90 80-100

100 65-85

110 45-70

120 30-55

130 25-40

Swine Breeds

The following breeds can be shown at Hays County Livestock. You should do your research and make a decision on what breed you want to show before purchasing a pig.

Berkshire - black with white on face, legs, and tail. Erect ears.

Spotted - Black and white spotted. Partially drooping ears.

Poland China - Black with white on the face and legs. Partially drooping ears.

Chester white - White with small, partially drooping ears.

Landrace - White with large, drooping ears. Very long-bodied.

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Duroc - Red with partially drooping ears

Hampshire - Black with a white belt.

Yorkshire - White with erect ears. Long-bodied.

Crossbred - any coloration pattern or pigmentation not listed above

Daily CareRaising animal projects requires DAILY dedication and hard work. Every day you will need to do several things to ensure that you become a superb showman: remove manure, rake the pen to ensure the surface does not allow for injury, and handle your pig everyday.

NutritionIt is absolutely imperative that show pigs receive a high quality ration feed and clean, fresh, cool water EVERY DAY. Without a properly balanced diet or water, the animal will not reach their peak potential.

WaterYour project should ALWAYS have access to fresh, clean, cool water. The waterer should be dumped, cleaned and refilled AT LEAST once a day. Hanging waterers should be made from galvanized pipe and fitted with a nipple.

Feed

Until your pig is 75 pounds, you should be feeding a pig grower or starter formula. After it reaches 75 pounds, you can switch to a grower/finisher fed. Pigs should be weighed weekly to determine their amount of gain (as we get closer to show, you should weigh more frequently). As a general rule, 3.5-4 pounds of feed will produce one pound of gain. Be sure to feed you pig on a regular schedule at least twice a day. Do not skip a feeding.

This is the area where we can help the most throughout the year. Every pig, like people, do not look the same in terms of muscle and fat cover. these are the two main things you can change by changing feed. The best thing you can do to increase your chances of reaching your goals with you pig, is to stay in touch and keep a record of the progress your animal is making.

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Environment and CarePensPens should be about 6’ wide and 10’-12’ long. There should be enough shavings to give comfort to the pig’s feet and legs. This also helps keep your pig as clean as possible, and is easy to clean and maintain. You should clean out the pen daily to maintain healthy conditions and prevent any unnecessary bacteria or spread of disease. The pen should also have a shelter to prevent sunburn on white hogs.

Walking your AnimalWalking your livestock project is crucial; it serves as a way to not only get the animal out of its pen for some exercising, but also to teach the animal that you are on its side and to build a bond that will be pivotal in the showmanship aspect. It will take time and patience for that animal to trust you 100% and to be accustomed to the fact of when he is out walking that it is not play time, but a time to work and go where he is asked to go.

Driving the AnimalDriving the hog is what it’s called when you are showing. It is very important that you not teach the hog that you are simply going to follow, but rather with the use of your pig whip you will tell him where to go by small taps on the shoulder or neck. Developing this will take time and patience, do not get frustrated, just keep working and eventually he will make progress. DO NOT BEAT THE PIG, but sometimes some encouraging force (more than a simple tap) may be needed.

Driving the hog is especially important in the show ring, as it will be very crowded and it will be your job to keep the hog out of the corners, off the fence and away from the crowd but rather in the open for the judge to easily evaluate. However, without the dedication at the farm you will not be able to do that. Your showmanship can determine if you deserve a spot or two higher or a spot or two lower. There are many showmanship clinics through the year as well as possibly having one at our farm. It is your job to put what you learn into practice. If you have any questions please ask your ag teacher.

ExercisingYour animal will need exercise to be in the best condition for the show ring. At the agriculture project facility, there is a ring for you practice but you may also walk around the barn once the animal is sued to the whip. Start with 5-10 minutes and eventually work up to as long as the hog can go without opening his mouth and breathing hard or wheezing. Once they start the wheezing or open mouth breathing put them away. Pigs do not sweat, so when they get hot they are prone to getting tight or possibly “going down”. The more in shape they are the better the animal will perform on show day. It is a process that takes time, and will not happen overnight. Also, after an animal is sick it is generally good practice to give the animal a few days off of exercise to fully recuperate.

FITTINGA natural, attractive appearance is the thing to seek in any fitted animal. You can secure this bycleanliness and proper trimming and grooming of the hair and coat. The best way to have a goodhair coat is clean, dry, well-bedded sleeping quarters; good nutrition; and grooming.

*BRUSHING AND WASHING

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1. To train the hair to lie down properly and add bloom, brush the hair daily forthe last 30 days.2. Wash the pig at least twice before the show with the first bath about 1 to 2weeks before the show.3. When washing the pig, check carefully for mange, lice, and any other skindisorders and get them corrected before the show.4. Wash the pig the day before the show either at home or at the show.5. Wet the pig’s entire body.6. Lather the pig with plenty of soap; then, using a stiff brush, vigorously scrubthe entire body.7. Rinse completely. Be sure all soap is removed.8. Brush the hair until totally dry.

SHOWING*AT THE SHOW

1. After finding your pen, put 1 to 2 inches of wood shavings in thepen.2. Let the pig rest.3. Feed approximately half of the normal ration. It might be a good idea to checkwith your advisor on how much and when to feed and water. Remember, hungrypigs rarely become sick.4. Give the pig plenty of exercise morning and night by taking him out of the pen.This is also a good time to allow him to relieve himself so that you maintain amore attractive exhibit.5. Do not leave food or water in the pen. Before show day, watch your pig eat anddecide when he looks best. A pig receiving too much feed will have a heavywaisty middle. A pig receiving too little feed will appear gaunt.

*SHOW TIME

1. Know the rules of the show. Check judging schedule to know when the pig willbe exhibited.2. Keep up with how the show is moving so that you and the pig are ready ontime.3. Brush sand or shavings from the pig and remove dust with a wet rag 15 to 30minutes before your class is called.4. Brush the pig with a fine bristled brush.5. Use a fine mist of water from a spray bottle to obtain the desired sheen to the

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hair.6. Be prompt and drive the pig carefully and quietly into the show ring when yourclass is called.7. Do not unnecessarily disturb or confuse the pig.8. Carry a small brush in your pocket and a short whip in your hand.

*IN THE RING

1. Keep your pig away from the fence, out of the corners, and away from largegroups of pigs.2. Keep one eye on the pig and one eye on the judge at all times.3. Keep the pig between you and the judge.4. Drive your pig slowly.5. Keep the pig under control at all times.6. About 15 feet from the judge, keep the pig open.7. Move quietly and quickly, keeping your pig in position.8. Keep hands and brush off pig’s back.9. Never hit the pig on the rump. This will cause him to straighten his tail andhave a steep rumped appearance. A light tap on the side should work.

A poor job of showing may ruin your chances of winning. A good job could result in placingtwo to three notches higher.

Remember at all times to be a credit to your organization. Always be courteous to othershowmen and officials. Always win or lose gracefully and fairly.

Record KeepingRecord keeping is very important in your livestock project. Record keeping can help you identify average daily gains of your animal, feeding habits, and profit margins of your project. A weekly weight sheet (found on page 10) is required by all in order to help the ag. teachers assist with the success of your project.

Keeping accurate records also helps make you eligible for many FFA awards. It is recommended to use the form on pages 11-13 help you keep up with all of your expenses for your project and enter everything into TheAET. www.theaet.com

ConclusionRaising show swine, like any other livestock project, is a family endeavor not only the students. What is learned through the process of raising an animal will be invaluable in life. You will build relationships, skills, and memories that will last a lifetime. If at any time in the project you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the Ag Teachers. There is no question to small. This is a learning process for all involved.

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Appendix

Equipment

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Clip-on Feeder

This is how the pig will be fed every morning and evening. Only get the 14” size clip-on feeder or larger.

*DO NOT GET A GROUND FEEDER

Pig whip

The whip is what you will use to guide your hog around. It is important that the hog become accustom to the whip from an early age.

*Do not get a bat, pipe, cane, or pole

Water System

The hog will need constant access to water. Use only galvanized pipe, not PVC, hogs will break PVC and cause a large water leak.

*picture is not a good representation of system,

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Small Bucket

The bucket will help you mix feed and measure out proper amounts of feel more easily.

Food Scale

Scale will help you measure out the exact amount of feed you have been told to feed.

Weekly Weight ChartIt is recommended to weigh on the same day every week (i.e. every Thursday).

Date Weight Average Daily Gain*

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Facilities

These are some good examples of pens. Do some research on materials and customize yours to fit your project and your home.

*To calculate Average Daily Gain (ADG), determine how much weight the animal gained in a week, then divide by 7 days.

SAE Record Keeping

Breeder Date Purchased Cost of Animal

Date Purchased Supplies (Equipment) Cost

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Dates Paid Pen Rent/Tags/Fees Cost

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Dates Purchased # of Feed Bags Cost

Dates Purchased Other (Wormer, Electrolyte, etc.) Cost

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Dates of Sale Sale or Premium (Where you make money from your animal)

Price Received

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