Thinking of starting a piggery, or scaling up your operation into a thriving agribusiness? This collection of expert-backed articles from Food For Mzansi is your all-in-one roadmap to support your pig farming journey
From choosing the best breeds and building the perfect pig house, to mastering feed costs, boosting herd health, and even preventing common pitfalls like tail biting, each guide offers real, practical tips to help you farm smarter.
Learn how to turn sows and boars into sustainable income, get advice on biosecurity from top vets, and discover why farrowing setups can make or break your business. No fluff. Just farm-tested insight, step-by-step.
Click the links below to dive into the full articles.
1. Your first steps into pig farming
Thinking of turning piglets into profit? Whether you’re a newbie farmer or dreaming of a rural side hustle, this beginner’s guide breaks down the essentials of starting your own pig operation in South Africa.
With practical tips and expert insights, it shows how careful planning, the right setup, and good herd health can take your pig farming dream from muddy pens to market-ready success.
The article emphasises a clear 10‑step framework that covers crucial stages. From initial research into pig breeds, housing, feeds and securing land, to identifying reliable markets.
2. Building a home for pigs
Dr Dorothea Mostert from CS Vet unpacks the essentials of comfortable pig housing, stressing the importance of space, ventilation, and temperature control.
The article emphasises that temperature control, especially in farrowing facilities for sows and piglets, is critical. Pigs thrive in temperatures between 19 °C and 24 °C, with a bit of latitude above or below.
The experts also touch on additional best practices in the accompanying podcast, such as biosecurity measures, recommended space requirements for different pig categories, and maintaining overall pen hygiene and safety.
3. Unlocking your pigs’ full potential starts here
Behind every high-performing pig is more than just good genetics; it’s smart farming. Today’s top producers know that even world-class genes won’t deliver results without the right environment, nutrition, and care.
In this article, experts explore why even the best genetics won’t flourish without proper housing, handling, health, nutrition, record-keeping, and management. None of these can be neglected if you’re aiming for optimal pig performance.
4. Breeding and feeding tips
Looking to turn your pig farming hustle into a profitable business? Success starts long before the pigs hit the market. It begins with smart breeding choices, balanced feeding, and sharp management.
Seasoned farmer Roland Trout shares tried-and-tested tips to help small-scale producers boost productivity, cut costs, and fatten up profits.
Trout underscores that profitability hinges on two pillars: superior genetics and cost‑effective nutrition. He cautions that sourcing stock without clear lineage invites inbreeding, deformities and productivity losses, so farmers should always buy from reputable breeders with documented pedigrees to safeguard performance and herd health.
5. Manage on-farm feed costs
In any piggery, feed is the single biggest expense, often swallowing up to 70% of total production costs. But smart farmers know that cutting corners isn’t the answer; cutting waste is.
This article breaks down practical, proven strategies to help pig producers slash feed costs while still keeping their herds healthy and growing strong. From ingredient swaps to precision feeding, here’s how to make every mouthful count.
The article also recommends tailoring feeding plans, such as phase‑feeding and split‑sex feeding, to match pigs’ changing nutritional needs by age, weight, or sex, further enhancing feed conversion rates.
6. Building a healthy pig herd
Keeping your pig herd healthy and thriving isn’t just good for your animals; it’s the key to a successful and profitable farming business. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just starting.
Knowing how to care for your pigs properly can make all the difference. From smart nutrition and hygiene to effective disease prevention, this guide breaks down everything you need to keep your pigs in tip-top shape and your operation running smoothly.
The article also highlights the significance of maintaining proper nutrition and biosecurity practices to minimise disease risks and ensure optimal growth.
7. Invest in biosecurity
When it comes to pig farming, prevention is better than a cure. A strong biosecurity plan isn’t just a good idea; it’s your herd’s best defence against costly diseases like African swine fever (ASF).
Dr Japhta M. Mokoele, a veterinarian and senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria, outlines both internal and external biosecurity measures.
The article also highlights the financial implications of implementing these biosecurity measures, acknowledging that while they can be costly, the investment is essential to protect the herd from devastating diseases like ASF.
8. Farrowing the right way
Farrowing the moment a sow gives birth is one of the most critical phases in pig production. Get it wrong, and you risk high mortality, stressed animals, and lost income.
However, with the right setup, smart temperature control, and a little attention to sow comfort, you can boost survival rates, improve welfare, and set your piglets up for a strong, healthy start.
The article highlights several key management practices. From stress minimisation, suitable housing, temperature control, behavioural needs and more.
9. Tail biting in pigs and how to prevent it
Tail biting may seem like a small-fry farm drama, but for pig farmers, it’s a serious red flag. Once one pig starts nibbling, it can trigger a chain reaction that leads to stress, infection, and financial loss.
This guide unpacks the top strategies to keep your pigs happy, healthy, and bite-free. From better airflow to boredom busters, here’s how to stay one step ahead of this destructive behaviour.
10. Scaling up your piggery
Pig farming can be a highly profitable venture if done right. In this practical guide, seasoned experts share the essentials every aspiring pig farmer needs to know, from choosing the right breeds to feeding smart and timing your sales.
This article offers a guide for anyone looking to launch or expand a profitable pig‑farming operation in South Africa.
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