Swine Library

Pork producers, like all farmers, need lots of information. For start-up pig operations, it's all about getting established and learning the basics of how to raise healthy animals. More seasoned farmers need to stay up to date on the markets and the latest research that may help them raise the quality of the animals they produce. Everyone is looking for information that will contribute to the success of their farm and ultimately to their bottom line. For small family farmers, as well as large pork producers, trusted sources like federal and state agencies, along with university agriculture departments and industry organizations, offer extensive free resources about raising pigs. With Internet access, it's possible to have critical information available any time of the day or night.

Pig Farming
  • Pork Industry Center: Extensive resources for pig farmers from Iowa State University.
  • Swine on a Small Scale: Information for the small swine farm, one of many articles available from the University of Florida.
  • Swine Management FAQ: Questions and answers about soybeans in pig management and nutrition--University of Illinois Extension.
  • Producer Information: Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln page links to various information to assist swine farmers.
  • NPPC: Online home of the National Pork Producers Council with news, issues and events.
  • U.S. Pork: Website funded by the national Pork Checkoff, with lots of news and information.
  • Pork@Purdue: Extensive resources for the pig farmer from the Agriculture Department at Purdue University.
  • Heritage Pork: About locally grown, small farm heritage pork.
  • Farm Service Agency: Support services for American farmers from the USDA.
  • Animal Health: A page with links to federal resources and state animal health offices from the U.S. Animal Health Association.
  • Alternative Feeding Programs: Extensive information about feeding for natural and organic pork production.
  • Ag Law: Resources related to law and agriculture, includes headlines about what's happening in Congress that affects farmers.
  • Environmental Impact Survey: An overview of the survey to assess producer awareness of swine production's impact on the environment.
  • Pork Production: Information from the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • ASAS Centennial Paper: Discoveries in swine nutrition from the American Society of Animal Sciences.
  • National HogFarmer: Magazine for pig farmers.
  • Pork Magazine: Online information from the Pork magazine, including news updated regularly.
  • Pig Feeding: Downloadable information on pig nutrition and feeding from Auburn University.
Pig Disease
  • Animal Health: Swine disease information from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Swine Disease Net: Resources about swine disease, includes database of fact sheets, articles and disease studies.
  • Swine Diseases: Information on 12 swine diseases from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Breed Information
Genetics
  • Herd Boar: Increasing genetically superior animals in swine herds.
  • U.S. Pig Genome: Information on the pig genome. Includes lots of basic information as well as more advanced research.
  • Swine Genetics & Selection: Scroll down on this page of Texas A&M Ag Department swine publications to find available genetics information.
  • Pig Genome Mapping: Information on pig genome mapping at Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • STAGES: Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System information and explanations.
Show Pigs
Breeding
  • Breeding Pigs: Facts about breeding pigs from boar selection to sow culling.
  • The Orphan Piglet: Information about the care of young baby pigs.
  • How to Breed Healthy Pigs: In-depth information on rearing baby pigs, from Mother Earth News.
  • Breeding & Farrowing: All about getting young piglets off to a great start.
  • Swine Biology Overview: Complete overview of breeding and growing, from estrus to grow-finish, includes a list of terms and definitions related to swine breeding.
  • Breeding Herd: Recommendations for swine breeding herds from Kansas State University.
  • Breeding Guides: Downloadable information about breeding (and genetics) from the University of Minnesota Swine Extension.
  • Reproduction: Articles from NC State University Extension Swine Husbandry Pig Pen, including topics in reproduction, available by clicking the word reproduction in the table of contents.
  • Hog House Plans: Free downloadable plans for a wide range of pig shelters, including farrowing, nursery, sow gestation structures and many more.
  • Starting a Swine Herd: Tips on starting and keeping a healthy breeding herd.
About The AuthorAbout the Author :

Written by Michael Marcin, Crest Capital, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, where he oversees all operations and finance for this national equipment finance lender.  He is an avid technical writer on topics covering equipment, vehicle, and software finance and associated tax implications.