Pig farming or hog farming is the raising and breeding of domestic pigs as livestock, and is a branch of animal husbandry.
Pigs are farmed principally for food and skins. Pigs are amenable to many different styles of farming: intensive commercial units, commercial free range enterprises, or extensive farming.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Pig Farm In South Africa
Senyatsi estimates that to establish a farrow-to-finish 250-sow unit would be R25 million, which excludes operational costs.
Breaking down the running costs, she says: “Feed costs average R16,50/kg of pork produced, and overheads about R4/kg. The total cost for a 80kg pig is therefore R1 640.
How do I start a pig farm in South Africa?
To start your pig farming business in South Africa, you need breeding stock i.e. boars and sows (which are males and females respectively).
These are the parents pigs which will mate to produce the piglets (pigs offspring). You will then raise the piglets and sell them.
Is pig farming profitable in SA?
It is a profitable business because the production cost is lower than other large livestock farming businesses.
More than 20,000 metric tons of pork is consumed every month in South Africa. Starting a pig farming business in South Africa is a lucrative project and very profitable business.
Which breed of pig is most profitable in South Africa?
Best commercial breeds
The South African Landrace, Large White and Duroc are the most popular commercial pig breeds in South Africa.
The Landrace and Large White are renowned for their outstanding mothering traits, whereas the Duroc is better known for its excellent growth and meat quality.
How many pigs are in South Africa?
There are approximately 400 commercial producers and 19 stud breeders in South Africa. Pig numbers are estimated at 1 573 million, this is a decrease of 1.3% compared to 2010.
How long does a pig take to grow?
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.