- Pork is an important part of our diet. It provides our body with protein that builds strong muscles and helps our bodies grow big and strong. Pork is also a great source of iron, zinc and B-vitamins.
- Modern technology, along with the work of farmers, has brought consumers the leanest bacon, ham, sausage and other pork products possible. Electronic equipment allows farmers to monitor the fat content of the pig and adjust the pig’s diet to produce very lean meat. This equipment, along with breeding techniques, allows farmers to choose leaner animals for breeding stock and to supply consumers with the lean, tasty products they want.
- Compared to ten years ago, pork has 30% less fat, 14% fewer calories and 10% less cholesterol.\
- Hogs are raised in various types of housing ranging from indoor housing systems to pasture. Sows can give birth (farrow) up to three times a year. From breeding, it takes 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days (112-115 days) for the baby piglets to be born. Litter sizes will vary from 8-10 piglets. Piglets will weigh about 3-4 pounds at birth.
- Farrowing stalls are used to protect the baby pigs from being injured by the sow. Pigs are weaned when they are 2-4 weeks old. It takes about 5-6 months for a pig to reach market weight of 220-260 pounds.
- Swine are monogastrics which means their stomach has one compartment. Because the stomach area is smaller, they require higher amounts of concentrates which are grains low in fiber and higher in digestible nutrients. Pigs will eat about 870 pounds of corn and 120 pounds of protein to reach market weight. It takes about 3.5 pounds of feed to produce 1 pound of live weight.
- There are nine major swine breeds. Crossbreds are animals from two different breeds to produce an offspring that is better than either of the parents.
- Sow- female hog that has farrowed a litter of pigs
- Boar- male hog
- Barrow – male hog that has been castrated
- Gilt – female hog that has not farrowed a litter of pigs
Demonstrate to students how difficult it is to herd pigs with this relay activity:
- Each team member blow up a pink balloon and draw a face on it with a marker.
- Team members place their pigs on the ground and herd them to the finish line with fly swatters.
- First team to get its herd to the finish line wins. (Don't try this outdoors on a windy day.)