Operation:Oink
What type of swine operation raises pigs from birth until they reach market weight?
Farrow-to-finish
Approximately how long is the gestation period of swine?
114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
What is the term for the process of a sow giving birth?
Farrowing
What is biosecurity in livestock production?
Practices used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease.
What structural fault describes a pig whose rear legs are too straight, with insufficient angle at the hock?
Post-legged
What type of swine operation purchases feeder pigs and raises them until they reach market weight?
Feeder-to-finish
What is the most common energy ingredient in swine feed rations?
Corn
What does "prolificacy" mean in swine production?
The ability to produce numerous offspring
What biosecurity practice involves moving a group of pigs into and out of a facility together, followed by cleaning and disinfecting before the next group arrives?
All-in/all-out production
What structural fault describes a pig whose rear legs have excessive bend at the hock?
Sickle-hocked
What type of swine operation maintains breeding sows, produces piglets, and sells them to another operation for finishing?
Farrow-to-feeder
In the standard swine ear-notching system, what does the RIGHT ear identify?
Litter number
What term describes the amount of fat covering on a market hog?
Finish or Conditioning
How long should newly purchased pigs be quarantined before being introduced to an existing herd, according to our class guidelines?
30 days
What structural fault describes a pig whose front knees bend forward excessively?
Buck-kneed
What type of swine operation focuses on producing high-quality breeding animals to improve the genetics of other herds?
Seedstock / purebred operation
In the standard swine ear-notching system, what does the LEFT ear identify?
Individual pig number
What does the term "terminal" mean when describing a sire used in swine production?
A sire selected to produce offspring intended for market rather than breeding replacements
What swine disease is known for causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, especially in newborn piglets?
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
List THREE indicators of muscling when evaluating market hogs.
Answers may include: muscling in the ham, shoulder, forearm, and loin (including a "butterfly" shape from the rear/top view)
What is vertical integration in the swine industry?
When one company controls multiple stages of swine production, such as breeding, feeding, processing, and marketing.
What is the typical feed conversion ratio for swine?
3:1 — approximately 3 pounds of feed for 1 pound of weight gain
What piece of equipment is used to confine a sow during farrowing while helping protect newborn piglets from being crushed?
Farrowing crate
What swine disease can cause abortions, stillbirths, and other reproductive problems, as well as respiratory illness?
Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
What carcass measurement describes the cross-sectional area of the loin muscle and helps indicate muscling?
Loin eye area (LEA)