Pigs - Crop Assignment
- 1. THE CANADIAN PORK INDUSTRY 3.5 CROP PROJECT by Student
- 2. CONTENTS ORIGIN OF PIG FARMING TABLE OF FARMS GMO AND THE PIG TECHNOLOGY AND PIG FARMING ENVIROMENTAL CONCERNS ECONOMICS PRODUCTION REFERENCES
- 3. ORIGIN OF PIG FARMING Pig farming is the raising and breeding of domestic pigs as livestock. Pigs are farmed principally for food and skins. Pigs are able to be farmed in many different styles of farming: intensive commercial units, commercial free range enterprises, or extensive farming. Historically, farm pigs were kept in small numbers and were closely associated with the residence of the owner, or in the same village or town. They were valued as a source of meat and fat, and for their ability to convert inedible food into meat, and were often fed household food waste when kept on a homestead. This industry is constantly changing due to fluctuations in prices and in the value of the Canadian dollar, herd genetics and breeding methods, marketing contracts, markets, and new diseases.
- 5. GMO AND THE PIG • Canada has been in the purebred breeding business for over 100 years, working cooperatively with many developing countries to improve pork quality through Canadian genetics. • Canadian quality grading systems have been in place for the past three decades, advancing carcass and quality meat characteristics. • Canadian pork accounts for 21% of world pork exports. • Their achievement in producing uniformity is a significant advantage to the meat processing industry. Three purebred breeds are used in breeding program, the animals grow and finish with a uniformity that producers and meat processors appreciate and consumer demands. • Genetic improvement is a never-ending process. Canada’s advantage in swine genetics began in large measure with a national hog-grading system that rewarded lean carcasses, which in turn influenced genetic selection. As a result, breeding companies are making significant gains in harmonizing genetics with feed rations and housing systems in order to develop approved lines of natural and organic pork for niche markets. Artificial insemination (AI) has also played a key role in advancing Canadian genetics. Medication use in food animal production, is closely monitored. While medications are critical for the well-being of animals, their use (particularly of antibiotics) must always be monitored.
- 6. TECHNOLOGY AND THE FARMING OF PIGS “Technology advancements will continue..but cannot replace the caretaker” From chips in the animal, right amount of feed is given to weight of animal, to making sure the perfect temperature is in the barns., technology is ever present in the production of pig farming. Data must be collected and analyzed during the animals life, so that when the animal is slaughtered the Canadian Food & Drug has accountability of it’s life. Farmers also use technology for webinars, podcasts, training videos to keep current with the key issues on farming and workplace safety for it’s employees. Technology also increases pig production and is very cost- effective for the farmer once implemented.
- 7. ENVIROMENTAL CONCERNS High Density pig production can release excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment as well as high doses of copper and zinc fed to the pigs to promote growth can accumulate in the soils. Global issues of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production are becoming internationally recognized. Farmers are taking more time to be educated on dead stock and manure regulations, for the safety and health to both livestock and people. Canadian processors are continually seeking ways to improve plant sustainability as well. They recognize the importance of regenerative energy and electrical energy reductions, and are helping move towards the reduction of green house gas emissions.
- 8. ECONOMICS Revenues amounting to over three billion Canadian dollars, the pork sector accounts for 30% of total livestock shipments and for 10% of all farm cash receipts. Hog production is a vital component of Canada's agricultural economy. Each province shares in this production in quality and in volume . Canada is favored with adequate grain production allowing for selective, controlled feeding and with reasonable feed costs. Virtually all commercial hog production in Canada takes place in a controlled environment, animals are kept in buildings specialized to raising market hogs.
- 9. ORIGIN OF FEDERALLY AND PROVINCIALLY INSPECTED HOG SLAUGHTER IN CANADIAN PACKING PLANTS 2017 Hogs British Columbia 516,915 Alberta 2,597,475 Saskatchewan 340,219 Manitoba 5,402,290 Ontario 4,058,447 Quebec 8,667,197 Nova Scotia 8,699 Prince Edward Island 1,894 CANADA TOTAL 21,593,136
- 10. PRODUCTION The most common hog production unit today is a specialized farrow-to-finish operation of 200 to 250 sows, which can be managed efficiently by a single family. Most pig farmers buy “weaners,” piglets about two or three months old that are no longer reliant on their mother’s milk; they then raise the pigs to slaughter weight (typically about 250 pounds), which on factory-style farms is attained by the time they’re 6 months old. The pork industry is the 4th largest farming industry in Canada and contributes to the economy and prosperity of the country. The pork industry creates jobs in rural and urban areas and provides abundant supplies of locally produced, affordable, high-quality protein.
Editor's Notes
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