We are seeing a rapid growth of farming activity of various types and sectors in South Africa at the moment. Today we take a look at piggery farming.
As with any other industry, there are laws, regulations, and legal requirements to be followed. You are required to register your farm, obtain the necessary permits and pass the Environmental Impact Assessments that will be conducted on the farm before the construction of your piggery can commence.
The first thing you’ll need to consider when starting your piggery is land and infrastructure. Pigs require appropriate housing with ventilation, temperature control and a good amount of space. It is also wise to put systems in place that will help you manage their waste and ensure a clean and consistent water supply because pigs require a lot of water.
The next step is acquiring the pigs. Based on the research you conducted before starting, you will choose a breed that is suited for your production goals; Whether you want to be a professional breeder or farm for market – direct to consumer pork products.
You can buy sows or piglets from a breeder in your local farming area. Piglets can range from R600 – R1500 each. Depending on their breeds and sizes. Boars and sows can range anything from R2000 to R4500 each.
There are over 50 breeds of pigs farmed in South Africa with the most popular breeds being Duroc, Landrace, and Large Whites.
Duroc breeds have great meat quality and grow to large sizes. Large whites and Landrace, breed quickly and have a large number of litters at a time. This can be anything between 10 and 15.
So what do pigs eat?
Commercial Pig Feed: There are specially formulated feed that provides the necessary balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is usually available in different forms, like starter, grower, and finisher feeds, depending on the pig’s stage of growth.
Remember, if you’re going commercial for meat, bacon, and other products, your pigs need to be well fed and fit the standard for market conditions and value.
Farmers also feed their pigs maize, which is a primary source of energy. As well as Soya Bean meals, wheat bran and vegetable waste or scraps from farms and markets.
Lastly, an important factor in live stock farming is health care. There are thousands of diseases that can affect your livestock and result in death and loss of income and livelihood for yourself.
Implement strict preventive measures by having regular vaccinations. Pest control and disinfection protocols also need to be put in place to reduce the risk of disease transmission from other animals on the farm.
