One of the common assumptions in pig farming is that if a pig is given enough feed, it will simply keep growing and that isn't quite how it works.
Two pigs can receive the same feed, under the same management conditions, and still have very different growth rates and mature sizes.
One of the biggest reasons is genetics.
You Can't Feed Beyond Genetics
Every animal has a genetic potential that influences how quickly it grows, how much weight it can attain, its body composition and, ultimately, its production performance.
A farmer can provide quality feed in abundance, but feeding an animal beyond its genetic potential does not automatically make it larger or more productive.
Think about dogs. A Lhasa Apso cannot be fed into becoming the size of a Bulldog. Their genetics establish different ranges for their growth and mature size.
Humans are another familiar example. Two people can eat similar quantities of food and have completely different body sizes, metabolisms and rates of weight gain.
Pigs are no different.
Why Breed Selection Matters
For someone raising pigs as a business, breed selection should not be treated as an afterthought. The breed or genetic line you choose can influence important production characteristics such as:
- Growth rate
- Mature body weight
- Feed efficiency
- Carcass characteristics
- Reproductive performance
- Overall suitability for your production system
This means that buying pigs simply because they are available can be an expensive mistake.
If the objective is commercial production, the farmer needs to consider whether the genetics of the animal are suited to the desired market and production goals.
You could spend more money on feed, labour and other inputs, but if the animal's genetic potential does not match your target, your returns may suffer.
Don't Pour Water Into a Basket
There is a simple lesson here:
Good feed cannot compensate for poor genetic selection.
Of course, breed is not the only factor that determines growth. Nutrition, health, housing, management, biosecurity and environmental conditions all matter, but the foundation still matters.
If you're farming pigs for profit, you need to start with animals that have the genetic potential to deliver the results your business requires.
Feed well.
Manage well.
But most importantly, choose well.
At Supreme Meat Ventures, we believe a more profitable pork industry starts with better-informed decisions from the choice of genetics to the management of the finished animal.