Selection, Feeding and Managing Your Project Pig

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Selection, Feeding and Managing Your Project
Pig Getting the Winning Edge
Presentation by John Mendes Animal Science
Instructor Modesto Junior College
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Feeder Pig Selection

• Selecting barrows vs. gilts
• Breed preferences
• Growth curve and maturity pattern
• Production and eye appeal
• Structural soundness

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Securing Your Show Pig Project

• For best selection purchase your show pig 90 to
  100 days prior to your show/fair
• Know the weight range at your fair (set your
  goal).
• Contact the producer well in advance (Provide
  him with the and size of the pigs you will be
  needing.
• Purchase price will vary from producer to
  producer. Project pig sales are also a good
  source to purchase your project pig.
• Remember In order to obtain a high quality
  animal, you will be paying for the elite
  genetics.

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Health Management For Your Show Pig

• Use an antibiotic the day you receive your pig
  (stress and change in environment.
• Deworm your pig 7 to 10 days after you have
  obtained the pig. (Ivomec, Atgard, Safegard,
  etc.). This practice should be
  repeated approximately every 30 days.
• Parasite control should include both
  external and internal parasites.
• Pigs should have been vaccinated for Erysipelas.

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Health Management (cont.)

• Recommended Antibiotics
• Nufluor
• Exceed
• Naxcel
• Dratxan
• Penn/Linco

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Feeding Program For Your Show Pig

• Use a high quality show pig ration at all
  times.
• Use a starter/grower ration during the first 3
  to 4 weeks of your project.
• Hand Feeding vs. Full Feeding.
• Establish a Growth Management program.
• Consistency is the key to success.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT PAYLEAN

• How does PAYLEAN work ?
• How much PAYLEAN should I feed?
• How long should I use PAYLEAN?
• What kind of hog would benefit from the use of
  PAYLEAN?
• Do I need to use PAYLEAN in order to win?

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Managing and Fitting Your Pig Prior to the Show

• Exercise will benefit the pig in the area of
  showmanship as opposed to weight control.
• When you are grooming and clipping your pig
  remember the goal is to maintain a Natural
  appearance.
• Quality Assurance is critical
• Remove all feed additives 30 days prior to the
  show
• Do not administer any Antibiotics within the 30
  days of the show.

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Final Tune-Up

• 21 days before the fair
• Adjust feeding program if necessary
• Add Paylean
• Add Protein
• Add Fat
• Add Beet Pulp/Oat Groats (Steamed Oats)
• Wet Feed

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Final Tune-Up (cont.)

• Fitting your hog
• Clip 7-10 days prior to show
• Use a 1/2 or 5/8 blade
• White hogs clip shorter
• Colored hogs clip longer
• Condition the skin daily