Pigs

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming pig production across the world, rendering production more efficient, less labour intensive and friendlier to animals while improving traceability and food safety. Glenneis Kriel highlights some of the latest technologies.

Dr Dorothea Mostert, veterinarian at CSVet, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for managing pigs from weaning to finisher phases, highlighting nutrition, environment, and welfare as key drivers of efficiency and profitability.

Advances in pig genetics are rapidly changing breeding and herd management. With digital phenotyping and artificial intelligence, breeders can now select pigs not just for growth and efficiency but also resilience, behaviour, and adaptability to changing climate and management conditions.

Effective pig farming requires a delicate balance of care, precision, and innovation to ensure the well-being and performance of weaners and growers. Dr Alex Westerink, an expert in swine health and production at CS Vet, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about strategies for improving pig welfare, feed efficiency, disease prevention, and leveraging technology to boost productivity.

JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.

Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.

Proper nutrition is vital for the health and productivity of pigs and poultry. Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka and JD Mostert spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about exploring essential nutrients, common feeding mistakes, and best practices for feed safety to optimise livestock growth and reproductive health.

In this article, we discuss some of the most common viral pig diseases in South Africa, and what farmers should do to prevent and/or treat these diseases to ensure a happy and healthy herd.

Amidst the range of delicacies to be enjoyed in Spain, Iberian ham is both a culinary delight and a farming marvel. Lindi Botha visited Spain to find out what it takes to produce the most expensive ham in the world.

Farming pigs on pasture is not commonly practised in South Africa, yet provides multiple benefits to farmers and the environment. Nan Smith spoke to Swellendam farmer Simon Goble about how regenerative pig farming adds profit and ethics to pork production.

There is a lot to consider when embarking on any farming operation, and the same is true for starting a piggery. Janine Ryan reports on some of the things you should consider when thinking about starting a pig farm.

Unlike farming or production programs where livestock species such as sheep, cattle, and goats are farmed extensively on wide-open spaces comprised of pastures or grazing rangelands, pigs are usually produced in intensive environments such as purpose-built piggeries, sties, or even enclosed sheds.

New technologies, big data and top-of-the-range genetics are becoming increasingly important aspects of profitable pig farming. However, these advancements don’t come cheap, placing them out of reach of many small-scale producers. Pig farmer CP Kriek spoke to Lindi Botha about tech solutions suited to Africa.

In order to ensure proper treatment for and management of pig diseases, farmers must know the differences between African swine fever, classical swine fever and swine flu, says Janine Ryan.

Johann Kotzé, CEO of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation, speaks to Janine Ryan about the importance of the informal pig sector in South Africa, as well as the high calibre of the country’s formal producers.

Growing demand for lean pork and a more muscled carcass, plus the need to run an efficient, productive operation, have put ever-greater pressure on pig farmers. Superior genetics remain the surest route to success. Lindi Botha reports on how the Benson piggery in KwaZulu-Natal has progressed in this respect.

Increasing pressure against the use of zinc oxide in pig herds has left farmers concerned about whether an alternative will be as effective at controlling disease and maintaining animal health. New research suggests that an alternative is not only already available, but offers more benefits.

Innovative marketing and customer relationships are essential to a modern piggery, says Shaun Mockford of Mockford Farms in Limpopo. He spoke to Magda du Toit about running a superior pig production operation.

Losing just one productive pig can cost you a great deal of money. In this, the third instalment in our series on livestock first aid, Prof Cheryl McCrindle of the University of Pretoria discusses the medications and equipment you should have on your pig farm at all times.

Raising stress-free pigs makes business sense, as it results in better growth of animals and fewer problems caused by disease. Dr Peter Evans of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation spoke to Glenneis Kriel.