PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
PIH-75
pork industry handbook
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Pork Production Systems with Business Analyses The High-Investment, High-Intensity Confinement System
(5-Groups of Sows Farrow-to-Finish)
Authors
David G. Spruill, University of Georgia
Clyde R. Weathers, North Carolina State University
Reviewers
David H. Bache, Purdue University
Orville Chamberlain, Urbana, Indiana
High-Investment,
High-Intensity Confinement...
What It Is and Where It Fits
This production system requires a long-term commitment to the business of producing pork. It is characterized by specialized facilities with sophisticated equipment and a highly organized and recognizable “system” or "schedule.” Therefore, this system is used most frequently where the business of producing pork is the primary objective, or at least, has priority on management and labor necessary to normal production. It is a low labor system, and normally, all animals are totally confined. The production schedule is designed for breeding and farrowing each month, or 12 far-rowings per year. Following are the basics for this schedule:
1.	The sow herd is divided into 5 distinct groups.
2.	One group is bred each month.
3.	Breeding is restricted to 7 days.
4.	Pigs are weaned at 5 weeks of age.
5.	Sows are rebred on first cycle after weaning.

It is obvious that this system requires good management and dedication. Since it is impossible for one person to be available continuously, more than one person should be involved to assure continuous operation and time off for weekends or vacations.

Advantages
•	Low-labor requirement. System is designed so that the per man productivity is quite high.
•	Confinement system provides a more constant environment for improved hog and labor productivity.
•	Labor can be specialized; for instance, personnel might specialize in farrowing-nursery, breeding-finishing, marketing-feed processing.
•	Labor needs are fairly constant from month-to-month since all phases of production take place each month.
•	Hogs are marketed one or more times each month. Therefore, income will be spread through the year, minimizing the cash-flow problem.
•	Boar cost per pig will be lower since each boar will sire more pigs.
•	Per sow investment is lower because of more intensive use of buildings.
•	Facilities can be designed for specialized functions, i.e., deck nursery, breeding.
•	Controlled breeding schedule allows breeding herd to be managed more efficiently since the sows can be observed more readily. Hand-mating allows for more control of the mating process and ensures complete services.

Disadvantages
•	High investment in management.
•	Replacement gilts are difficult to work into the breeding schedule.
•	Sows that do not conceive on schedule are difficult to manage in this system.
•	Mechanical equipment must be serviced or replaced.
•	Keeping skilled labor available and happy can be a problem in large units.
•	Requires a controlled breeding program; works best with hand-mating.

The Five-Group Production System
Once the decision has been made to use a 5-group system for producing pork, buildings necessary for doing this job with maximum efficiency must be chosen. The layout should be designed for efficient flow of animals, feed, waste and people. These structures will be designed spe-
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U. S Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, West Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have egual opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.