South Africa’s pig farming industry offers opportunities for new and established farmers. Seasoned pig farmer Roland Trout shares key factors for profitability as well as effective breeding and management practices.
Becoming a successful pig farmer starts with acquiring the best animals for breeding purposes.
When it comes to running a profitable pig farm, Trout highlights the following critical factors:
Invest in good genetics
“It’s best that you buy the best genetics from a profitable breeder that has done the genetics for years. Buying from people that don’t have a lineage of where the male comes from, where the female comes from, you don’t know where you’re going,” Trout says.
Farmers must ensure they are not breeding pigs that are closely related to avoid inbreeding, which can lead to deformities and stunted growth, Trout notes. By investing in strong genetics, farmers can ensure their pigs grow faster, produce higher-quality meat, and are more resistant to common health issues.
Source high-quality feed
Proper feeding is essential for optimal growth and profitability. Pigs should receive about two kilograms of quality feed daily. Farmers starting or struggling with the high cost of commercial feeds can buy raw materials like maize and mix their own feed.
“If you get waste, like scraps that you get from your kitchen, a lot of people give their pigs stuff like that to feed on. But the pigs don’t grow at an optimal rate that is profitable.”
He also notes that the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (Sappo) sets national pig prices based on the cost of maize, so sourcing affordable, high-quality feed is vital for financial success.
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Monitor health and ensure proper care
Healthy pigs lead to better production, and it is crucial to monitor for common health issues like internal parasites. Trout emphasises the importance of regular injections of iron and deworming medicines like Ivo-mix or Deto-mix.
“Piglets have a shortage of iron when they are born. So the iron injection must go into their body, and the Ivo-mix deworm so that the worms don’t eat their food,” he adds.
Farmers should also ensure pigs have clean, fresh water, as dehydration can impede growth and affect meat quality.
Farmers should monitor for common issues like mites, which cause pigs to scratch excessively. Proper deworming and skin treatments, along with providing pigs with shaded areas, especially for white pigs, can help prevent skin conditions.
“They get skin diseases too, like mites under their skin, then they scratch, scratch, scratch the whole time.”
Trout also highlights the need for hygiene on the farm, advising farmers to provide proper toilet facilities for workers to avoid contamination, which can lead to measles in pigs.
Choose profitable breeds
In South Africa, the most profitable pig breeds are those that meet market demand and provide high-quality meat with the right balance of fat. According to Trout, breeds like Landrace, Great White, and Kenenbrach are excellent for producing market-quality meat. He adds that while the Duroc breed produces more robust and darker meat, it is less favoured by abattoirs.
“When it comes to the abattoir, they don’t want the Duroc meat colour, they want white colours.”
Fertility and healthy litters
He stresses the importance of pen design to prevent the sow from lying on her piglets, which can cause accidental deaths.
“You can put bricks lying on the floor or a pole at the back so that they don’t lay on top of the piglets. That’s one of the things that can keep your litter healthy.”
Farmers should also inject sows with iron supplements 14 days before birth to promote healthy piglet growth. Increasing the sow’s feed a month before farrowing, Trout adds, also ensures that the piglets develop properly while still in the womb.
Keeping a boar can be expensive, as they consume high amounts of feed year-round, even when not mating. Artificial insemination (AI) offers a more affordable option, shares Trout, noting that it allows farmers to access quality genetics without the long-term cost of maintaining a boar.
“When pigs reach a weight of 50 to 100 kg, they are ready for market,” he explains. Selling at the right time can significantly impact profitability, as pig prices fluctuate with market conditions. Waiting for the market to rise before selling can maximise returns.
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