1. P IG B ASICS 101

2. P IGTIONARY Barrow A male pig that has been neutered Boar Adult male pig kept for breeding purposes Sow Adult female pig Farrow To give birth Gilt Female pig that has never farrowed Market Hog Barrow or gilt raised for meat production, weights up to 110 kg or 242 lbs

3. P IGTIONARY Litter A group of piglets born at one time from the same sow Piglet Newborn pig, weights 1 – 2 kg or 2.2 – 4.4 lbs Feeder Pig Piglet after it’s weaned from the sow, also known as a ‘weaner’ pig Runt The smallest piglet in the litter Pork Producers Farmers, the people that raise pigs

4. P IGS OF M ANY C OLORS Pigs come in different styles, or breeds Farms usually specialize in one breed of pig Purebred breeding farms then sell their high quality males and females to other farmers Most pigs are a combination of 2 or 3 different breeds for the best traits from each

5. T HE C ANADIAN Y ORKSHIRE The most popular breed of pig in Canada They grow quickly Produce many piglets Produce lean and high quality pork

6. L ANDRACE Large and muscular, these white pigs are recognizable by their droopy ears This pig is known for its strong maternal abilities and adapting to different climates

7. T HE C ANADIAN D UROC Solid red in color Known for: Fast growth Stamina High quality meats

8. H AMPSHIRE Black and white pigs Known for: Fast growth Muscling Really lean pork

9. T HE B EGINNING Sows can be bred by natural mating with boars or by artificial insemination Artificial insemination allows farmers to buy the best genetics in the world without having to bring a new animal to the barn

10. T HE B EGINNING A sow’s gestation last for 3 months, three weeks, and 3 days Average litter is 8-12 piglets A sow gives birth approximately twice a year Sows are put into farrowing pens, just before giving birth and while they nurse their piglets Designed to provide the best environment The bars give the sow something to lean against while she lies down The piglets have a safe area to stay out of harm’s way The area the piglets sleep is kept warm with a heat lamp or heat pad Sows nurse for 2-4 weeks, until the piglets are weaned from milk to solids GestationFarrowing Pen

11. T HE F ARROWING P EN

12. T HE N URSERY Feeder pigs receive a diet that changes to meet their nutritional needs as they grow Once weaned, the piglets are moved to group pens Need warmer temperatures Healthiest when kept separate from older pigs Its important to keep the pigs in groups with other pigs the same size as they will “bully” each other and can really injure smaller pigs

13. T HESE P IGS W ENT T O M ARKET Feeder pigs are moved out of the nursery when they reach 25 kg or 55 lbs to the ‘grower-finisher’ Pigs are housed in separate room or barn designed for the size of the pig Raised to a weight of 110 kg or 242 lbs

14. T HESE P IGS W ENT T O M ARKET Market hogs are sent to meat processing plants on trucks designed just for pigs to which strict guidelines apply: Number of pigs on a truck In hot weather, fewer pigs are put onto a truck and are normally shipped at night or in the early morning

15. T HE P ROCESSING P LANT Each animal is inspected at the processing plant and then euthanized quickly and humanely by approved methods Processing plants follow strict government guidelines for processing and handling animals and meat products

16. T HE P ROCESSING P LANT

17. T HIS L ITTLE P IG S TAYED H OME Breeding Stock The pigs with the best genetics and characteristics Good body structure Good bone structure Muscling Quick growth Strong maternal instincts These pigs are either kept by the farmer or sold to other farmers to replace existing stock or add extra to their herd

18. Y OU LIVE LIKE A PIG Pigs like to keep clean Barns are designed to provide pigs with the right environment, protected by extreme temperature and weather Barns even have water sprinklers to keep them cool and comfortable Pigs eat grains Corn Barley Soybeans Mixed in are vitamins and minerals A lot of research goes into the right amount and type of food a pig needs for growth The BarnFood

19. H EALTH Vaccinations and medications are used in herd health programs with a veterinarians advice Animal medicine must be tested and approved by government before use Some farmers ask you to take a shower or put on plastic boots over your shoes before entering a barn Other farmers will not let any visitors at all This prevents the pigs from getting sick Farmers prefer prevention over medicine Animal Health RecordBiosecurity