Farrow-to-Finish vs. Wean-to-Finish: Which Pig Production System Is Right for You?
Table of Contents Introduction Choosing the right pig production system is one of the most consequential decisions a U.S. pig farmer will make — it determines your capital requirements, biosecurity exposure, labour needs, and, ultimately, your profit…
Inside a Modern Commercial Pig Farm: How Today’s Operations Really Work
Table of Contents Introduction The U.S. swine industry produces over 130 million market hogs annually, and the backbone of that output is the modern commercial pig farm – a highly engineered operation that looks nothing like the family barn of 50 years…
Nutritional Strategies to Boost Pig Immunity in 2026
Introduction Three years ago, I consulted with a 1,200-sow operation in Indiana struggling with chronic respiratory disease despite aggressive vaccination and antibiotic programs. Their medication costs had climbed to $4.80 per pig, yet nursery mortality…
Complete Guide to Pig Parasite Management in 2026
Introduction Last fall, I visited a 300-head finishing operation in Iowa, where the owner couldn’t understand why his pigs were gaining 0.3 pounds less per day than his neighbor’s herd. After examining just five livers at a local processor,…
Pig Vaccination Schedule USA: Complete Guide for 2026
Introduction Disease prevention remains the cornerstone of profitable pig production, with vaccination programmes reducing mortality by 15-30% across U.S. swine operations, according to 2025 USDA veterinary surveys. A well-designed vaccination schedule…
Ready-Made vs Custom Pig Feed: Cost, Performance & Profitability (2026 Guide)
Introduction After 20+ years running a 5,000-head operation in North Carolina, I’ve used both ready-made commercial feeds and custom-formulated diets at different stages of my farming career. The decision between purchasing complete feeds from a…
Pig Feed Formulation Basics
Introduction After 20+ years running a 5,000-head operation in North Carolina, I can tell you that learning to formulate your own pig feed is one of the most valuable skills a producer can develop. According to USDA Economic Research Service data from…
Pig Farm Biosecurity Measures: Practical Protocols for Disease Prevention
Introduction Disease outbreaks cost the U.S. swine industry an estimated $3 billion annually in lost production, treatment expenses, and mortality. In my 15 years of swine practice across Iowa and the Midwest, I have witnessed devastating Porcine…
Vitamins Minerals Pigs Essential for Health and Growth
Introduction After 20+ years running a 5,000-head operation in North Carolina, I’ve seen firsthand how vitamin and mineral deficiencies can quietly devastate profitability. A 2024 USDA study found that hidden vitamin and mineral deficiencies impact…
Understanding the Pig Digestive System: A Farmer’s Guide
Discover how the pig digestive system works. Understand swine monogastric digestion and gut microbiome health to maximise feed efficiency and herd profits. The pig digestive system is a simple yet highly efficient process that allows pigs to convert feed…