Transcript Market Steer Essentials

Breeding Swine Essentials
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Topics to Discuss
The following topics will be discussed:
• Selection
• Where to purchase pigs
• Validation
• Registration Papers
• Facilities and Equipment
• Nutrition, Management and Exercise
• Health
• Fitting and Showing
• Health Papers
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
Age of Gilts
• Each show will have a specific range of birthdates
that are eligible for show.
• Check rules prior to show
• Generally shown by age not weight
• A higher growth rate is desirable
• The bigger the better!!
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
• Breed
• Most shows have enough entries to
show individually
• Some shows are open to specific breeds
only.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Quality Considerations
• Desire fast-growing hogs with plenty of
rib shape and capacity
• Selection criteria include: muscle,
structural correctness, style and balance,
and growth potential
• Important to select for soundness in
breeding gilts
• A trusting breeder is important
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Where to
Purchase Pigs
• Private treaty is becoming more and
popular over sales
• Pigs will generally be between 40 and 75
lbs. when purchased.
• Buying off the farm allows individual to see
sows, visit about genetics, vaccination
schedule, etc.
• When going to farm be on time, alert the
breed if you have been on any other farms,
always wait for the breeder before stepping
into the barn
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Validation
• Currently no validation for breeding gilts.
• Registration papers are used at most
shows
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Registration Papers
• Registration papers are required
• Responsibility of breeder to transfer papers
to youth
• Responsibility of youth to verify they have
received the correct paper for each gilt
• Each show varies pertaining to registration
papers, including transfer date
• Read rules about registration papers!!
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Registration Papers
• In order to avoid disqualification, some
things to double-check are:
– Date of Birth
– Ear Notch
– Sex of Animal
– Transfer Date
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• At least 20 sq. ft. of spacer per pig
• Barn should be well ventilated, well
drained, and open to south or east
• Shade is essential
• Keep cool during summer and warm
during winter
• Can be kept on cement or dirt floors
• Avoid slippery flooring, sharp edges, etc.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• Feeders should be hung at a height
which equals top of pigs’ shoulder
• Most market hogs are individually
housed to monitor weight gain and feed
consumption
• Fresh water is very important
• Nipple waters or trough waters may be
used
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• Other equipment needed includes:
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Brush
Show stick
Pipe or whip
Shovel
Electric clippers with
proper combs and cutters
– Syringes and needles
– Small portable feed trough
– Water bucket
– Show box
– Portable livestock
scale
– Extension cord
– Heat lamp
– Electric fan
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
• No magic formula for champioins
• The total feeding programs creates success this includes:
feeding schedule, exercise program, careful observation
• Five basic nutrients include: water, protein, carbohydrates
and fats (energy), minerals and vitamins
• Balanced commercially prepared ration should be prepared
• Should be at least 16 to 20 percent
• Do not constantly change rations
• Do not make abrupt changes in feeding
• Pigs should consume around 4-8.5 lbs per day, split
between two feedings
• Protein requirements decrease as pig grows
• Exercise builds up endurance, tones muscle, and requires
exhibitor to work with animal
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
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Should be at least 16 to 20 percent
Do not constantly change rations
Do not make abrupt changes in feeding
Pigs should consume around 4-8.5 lbs
per day, split between two feedings
• Protein requirements decrease as pig
grows
• Exercise builds up endurance, tones
muscle, and requires exhibitor to work
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
with animal
Fitting and Showing
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Skin care is very important for show preparation
Most market shows are water only
Hair care begins early on in the feeding period
Brush hogs twice a week
Be careful using oils on white hogs so they do
not get sunburn
• One weed prior to the show pigs should be
clipped
• Keep hair about ½ to ¾ inch in length
• Can be done by using a #1 or #2 guard on
clippers
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health
• Key to a healthy pig program is
development of preventative health
program
• Erysipelas, atrophic rhinitis, circovirus,
leptospirorsis, mycoplasma are a few
viruses pigs should be vaccinated for
• Pigs should be dewormed monthly (rotate
wormers with at least one rotation of
Atguard or Safeguad)
• Ivemectin controls external parasites like
lice and mange
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health
• Observe daily for infections or viruses
• Follow all state and federal laws when
administering drugs
• Feed labels cannot be altered by a
producer or veterinarian and must be
used according to the label
• Most livestock shows strictly prohibit the
use of performance enhancing drugs
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health cont.
• When administering drugs follow all
directions on drug labels to Quality
Assurance.
• The use of drugs in manner unintended
violates laws set by the Food and Drug
Administration
• Texas livestock shows have strict laws
for illegal drug use and will disqualify
animals if illegal drugs are used
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing
• Skin care is very important for show preparation
• Some shows are “water only”(only water may used
on day of show)
• Read rules carefully to learn more
• Skin care begins long before show time
• Training hair by washing and brushing is important
• Never oil white pig and leave in sunlight
• When clipping leave about ¾ inch of hair
• This can be done by using a #1 or #2 guard on
clippers
• Showmanship clinics should be conducted to teach
proper showmanship techniques
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing cont.
• Training hair by washing and brushing is
important
• Never oil white pig and leave in sunlight
• When clipping leave about ¾ inch of hair
• This can be done by using a #1 or #2 guard on
clippers
• Showmanship clinics should be conducted to
teach proper showmanship techniques
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health Papers
• Most breeding shows will require health
papers that have been issued from a
veterinarian within the last 30 days prior to
the show
• Check with the show rules as to what is
needed, as the requirements vary from stateto-state, and may change over time
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health Papers
• The following is an example of what may be required:
– Brucellosis: All animals must be from a validated brucellosis
free herd with the validation herd number and test date on
certificate or be negative tested for brucellosis after (date 30
days prior), and test date written on the certificate.
– Since all states are Stage 5 of the Pseudorabies (PRV)
eradication program, no testing is required for this show. If the
animals come from a Pseudorabies qualified herd, it is required
that this number and the last test date appear on the health
certificate.
– Vaccination against Leptospirosis (6-way) including bratislava
and erysipelas. The date of vaccination MUST be listed on the
health certificate.
– All health certificates must list the following statements: no raw
garbage fed, herd is not under quarantine for any disease and
uses no PRV vaccine.
– A premise ID number is required.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional questions to
address with Exhibitors
• What are the goals of the 4-H member and
family?
• What shows or time of the year will you exhibit
the project(s)?
• Will you need assistance in locating and selecting
your project?
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional Resources
for Market Swine
Pork Information Gateway
(http://tamu.porkgateway.org)
TAMU Animal Science website
(http://animalscience.tamul.edu)
Raising Show Pigs
By Ricky Thompson
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Conclusions
• All aspects of the selection process should be
understood. (classification, age and weight,
quality consideration)
• Agents should help youth locate pigs and know
the proper etiquette when visiting farms.
• All pigs should be properly validated for each
show they will be attending.
• Proper facilities should be available.
• Proper diets and nutritional information about
feeding goats should be identified.
• Health is one of the most important aspects of
raising breeding goats.
• All rules should be followed in regards to fitting
prior to show.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development