Hog Farm

Hog Farm Facts
Hog raising is an important industry here in Pennsylvania. In 1995, pork production in our state was valued at $71,000,000.
Hogs are raised for their meat. Young hogs that are raised for meat are referred to as feeder pigs. Feeder pigs usually start out weighing 30-50 pounds. A full grown hog is called a market hog and is ready for slaughter. These hogs usually weigh between 200 and 240 pounds.

A female hog, called a sow, will have 8-10 piglets each time she gives birth. This group of baby pigs is referred to as a litter of pigs.

Hog Farm Operations
There are three main types of hog farms, farrow-to-finish, feeder-to-finish and farrow-to-weaning operations. A farrow-to-finish operation is where young pigs or piglets are born on the farm and then fed into a market animal. In a feeder-to-finish operation, piglets are bought from an outside source and raised into market animals. A farrow-to-weaning operation is where sows raise their young to weaning (the time where young are separated from their mothers) and then the young are sent to be fed for market.

In a farrow-to-finish operation, sows are bred and give birth. The sows are kept in farrowing crates which are designed to protect the piglets from being crushed when the sow lies down. The piglets are kept in this crate with their mother until they are weaned from the mothers milk to solid food.

The majority of the farms in our area are feeder-to-finish farms. In a feeder-to-finish operation the feeder pigs spend their lives in pens with other pigs that are about the same age and weight. Here the pigs typically feed on a diet of corn and soybean meal. There are some feeder operations that feed the animals food by-products in place of the corn/soybean feed. These by-products include: potato chips, milk, orange juice, bread and candy. Once the hog has reached the targeted market weight, it is then sent to be slaughtered.

Many farmers raise hogs under contract. This means the farmer raises the hogs and then sells them to one particular processing company. Some farmers raise hogs and then market or sell them on their own.

Processing companies come to these farms with large trucks and take the animals to the slaughterhouse. These trucks are often big, loud, hold up traffic and may even deposit mud and dirt on the roads. Be patient if you encounter a livestock truck. Their job is a necessary part in getting pork from the farm to your dinner table.

At the slaughterhouse, the hog carcasses go through a rigorous inspection process by a trained USDA official. Meat cannot be sold to the consumer without the USDA inspectors approval.

Hog Manure Spreading
Like all animals, hogs produce manure. The farmer collects the manure in large pits or lagoons. Farmers empty these pits occasionally and spread or inject the manure onto their fields for fertilizer. Manure management is a very important to the farmer. The amount of manure used on crop land is determined by soil tests. The results from a soil test in combination with a nutrient analysis of the manure helps guide farmers as to the appropriate amount of manure to apply to their fields. Farmers want the proper amount of manure on their fields which will benefit the crops without harming production. Many professional advisors work with farmers on this.

Hog manure often emits offensive odors. The strength of the smell depends on such things as humidity, temperature, distance from the farm, topography and wind direction. A farmer doesnít have much control over several of these. The smell might be more obvious when the farmer spreads the manure on his land. Sometimes farmers plow the manure into the ground immediately after spreading to control odors and to get the most nutrient value from the manure.


Products From Hogs
Hogs provide us with many food products including: chewing gum, canned meats, natural casing sausage, gelatin and lard. At the grocery store many different meats are available from hogs, such as bacon, ham, pork chops, roasts, spare ribs, tenderloin, ground pork and sausage. Other items such as glues, fertilizers, antifreeze, weed killers, pet foods, insulin, make-up, and soaps are also made from pig by-products.


Hog Farm Sites
The appearance of a hog farm is very unique. Often passers by can see farmers spreading manure on the fields, large storage bins where the hog feed is kept, barns where the hogs are housed, and the farmhouse.
Hogs make noises just like other animals. These animals make loud squealing sounds. that can be heard several hundred yards away from the farm. Often the squealing is the loudest just before feeding time; so loud that those who are working in the barns have to wear hearing protection.

Hogs are very susceptible to diseases. Many thousands of dollars are invested in a hog herd to prevent diseases from infecting the herd. Almost everything that comes in contact with these animals and could transfer diseases to them is disinfected regularly. This includes including the workerís clothing, vehicles, and any other equipment that is used around the animals. Sows are kept clean and all dead animal carcasses are disposed of immediately in an appropriate manner.
Making friends with your farm neighbor and keeping in touch with them will add to a good neighbor relationship. Ask your neighbor to explain how things operate and, if allowable, maybe tour their facilities.



This publication is available in alternative media upon request.

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