Swine Production Resources for Beginning Farmers

Group of small pink pigs, with one giving the camera the lazy eye

Updated: March 30, 2021

Swine Production

Swine production is not a large part of Maryland Agriculture, but a growing number of farmers are considering raising pork on a small scale or providing pork as a part of a CSA. In 2013, cash receipts for market hogs were $8.6 million with the total number of hogs and pigs in Maryland reaching 22,000 as of December 1, 2013. Use the resources below to learn about swine production:

General

Raising Pastured Pigs - Cornell University Cooperative Extension

Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides this Factsheet about raising pasture pork. This fact sheet introduces terminology, breeds, facilities, and nutritional management.

Swine Production on a Small Scale - University of Florida IFAS Extension

University of Florida IFAS Extension provides a factsheet on Swine Production on a Small Scale. The factsheet includes basics on raising a litter, diseases and parasites, and more.

Economics

Swine Production - Penn State Extension

Penn State Extension provides a detailed overview of pork production and provides three sample budget worksheets (farrow-feeder, farrow-finish, and feeder-finish). It also provides an estimate of initial resource requirements and general management information.

Cost of Organic Pork Production (File B1-80) - Iowa State

Considering raising organic pork? This article from Iowa State extension provides the economics behind organic pork production.

Breeding and Reproductive Management

Reproductive Physiology and Anatomy of the Sow - Purdue University

Exploiting Genetics Within Your Herd - North Carolina State University

Health Management

Evaluating and Correcting Lameness in Sows - The University of Minnesota

Nutritional Management

Formulating Farm-Specific Swine Diets - University of Minnesota Extension

The University of Minnesota Extension covers all the basics to developing a proper swine nutritional plan. The page will help you calculate rations and understand the importance of nutrition while breeding, water intake, and how to visually valuate the hogs.

Facilities

Biosecurity Guide for Pork Producers - National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA

Understand and learn about the importance of biosecurity of your swine facility by utilizing the National Pork Producers Biosecurity Guide for Pork Producers.

Managing Market Pigs in Hoop Structures - Iowa State University

This Iowa State Extension publication covers how to manage hog production in a hoop house and includes a discussion on manure management and labor requirements.