A Systematic Approach to Planning a Hog Farm

The modern methods of producing pigs are efficient methods of producing good meat with a lot of protein. Every step of the production process is planned and specific. I wanted to demonstrate the General Steps of Pig Production in line with my point of view.

(1) Market Potential- where can I sell my hogs? Historically how much do the hogs bring in this market? Can I hedge to lock in a profit?

(2) Land Site Selection:
(A) Is there much human population nearby?
(B) What is the drainage of the site?
(C) Is there the ability to hold a lagoon at this site?
(D) Is there enough water available?

(3) Are there any permits needed?

(4) Environmental measures:
(A) What will the air impact be?
(B) What will be the effect on water sources?
(C) What are the prevailing winds?
(D) Will odor be a problem?

(5) Hog Buildings Selection and Construction:
(A) What kind of hog will you raise? (i) Feeder Pigs (ii) Grower/Finisher Pigs (iii) Farrow-to -Finish
(B) What kind of Environment(s) will you face?

(6) Breeding Stage- Day 1: What kind of Reproduction Plan will you follow?
(A) Natural Service with Hand-Mating
(B) Artificial Insemination (A.I.)
(C) Pen Mating

(7) Gestation - to Day 110

(8) Farrowing- Day 112 to Day 114

(9) Weaning- Piglet age 21 days to 28 days (unless advised earlier by your Veterinarian to combat disease).

(10) Grower/Finisher: About 50#'s to Desired Market Weight

(11) Marketing:
(A) Break-Even-Price
(B) Forward Contracting?
(C) Live-Weight Sales?
(D) Carcass Merit Sales?

(12) Projected "Return-On-Investment" (ROI)

(13) Obtain Investment Capital