1. Selection.
A. Market Hogs (Short-term Project). Select for muscling, finish, capacity, structural soundness, carcass merit, balance and style. Males are castrated at early age. Barrows (castrated males) and gilts (unbred females) should grow out to 210-265 pounds and be 5 to 6 months old at show time. Market hogs are exhibited in weight classes.
B. Breeding Animals (Long-term Project). Select for type, structural soundness, breed and sex characteristics. Exhibitor should have expanded facilities for breeding and raising pigs. Boars (males) and gilts are exhibited in age classes.
2. Basic Equipment. Buckets, feed trough, stiff brush. Accessibility to shears (for trimming market hogs) and trailer (for transportation).
3. Shelter. Provide draft-free housing in winter and cool areas in summer. Pen should be well drained, and 8-10 square feet per pig is adequate.
4. Feeding. Feed a good, commercial brand of feed that provides 20-21 percent protein but at least 16 percent protein for the growing pig. Hand feeding twice a day has been one of the better methods. Self-feeders are acceptable, but attention to weight gain is increased. Pigs can gain approximately 1 pound of weight for every 3 of feed. If hand feeding, begin feeding 2 pounds in the morning and 2 in the evening; be consistent. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times.
5. Disease/Parasite Control. Worm pigs every 30 days with an approved, commercial wormer until they reach market weight (note restrictions before a sale). Check pigs weekly for lice or mange and spray with an approved pesticide, if needed, except during the last 30 days before a show or market sale.
6. Fitting Pigs for Show. Fitting includes becoming familiar with your pig. After the first week with the animal, get to know him/her by talking to it; petting it; brushing it and taking it for walks. A cane, leather strap or long stick can be used to guide the pig where you want it to go. Wash your pig every week beginning six weeks before a show (and of course at show time). Market hogs are trimmed usually a week before the show.
7. Other Management Tasks. Watch pig for signs of heat stress, illness or disease. Get to know other exhibitors, attend workshops and read literature on pigs. Keep records on your pig and know everything about your animal, such as birth date, weight, breed and tag number.
Growth Information
1. LSU Jr. Livestock Shows (February)
a) Market hog will be from 150 to 180 days of age at show time.
1) Farrowing (Birthing) Periods
Aug 13
Aug 20
Aug 27
Sept 3
Sept 10
2) End of weaning period: 6 weeks from above farrowing dates. Pigs are at weights ranging from 35 to 45 pounds.
Sept 24
Oct 1
Oct 8
Oct 15
Oct 22
b) Minimum/Maximum weights: District Show (200lb/265lbs); State (215lb/265lbs).
2. Southern University Jr. Livestock Show (March)
a) Market hog will be from 150 to 180 days of age at show time, given farrowing begins on Sept. 21 and ends on Oct. 17.
b) End of weaning period: 6 weeks from farrowing dates and pigs are at weights ranging from 35 to 45 lbs.
c) Minimum/Maximum weights: No District Show; State (210lb/265lbs).
Table 1. Estimated Returns at Sale ($1/lb – 3%) For 120-day Performance
Gain Initial Weight (lbs)
lb/day 40 50 60 70 80
| 1.7 |
$231 |
$240 |
$250 |
$260 |
$270 |
| 1.8 |
$243 |
$252 |
$262 |
* |
* |
| 1.9 |
$255 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| 2.0 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Notes. 1) Estimated feed cost @ .14/lb for 3lbs of feed/lb gain
2) * Denotes hog will not meet standards
for minimum or maximum weights.
References: Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Publication 2391, Introduction to the 4-H Swine Project, 6/93. Made available by: Kenneth Spoto, County Agent, East Feliciana, 8/2000