The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has issued technical guidelines on reducing costs and improving efficiency in pig farming.

To help pig farmers effectively address the current challenges posed by declining hog prices, and in light of the seasonal characteristics of winter and spring production, the National Swine Industry Technology System has compiled proven practices for reducing costs and improving efficiency in swine farming. The following technical guidance recommendations are hereby provided for reference by all pig producers.

I. Scientific selection and pairing of breeding stock to enhance reproductive efficiency

Strict breeding selection is essential. Breeding farms should consistently conduct performance testing and accelerate the adoption of new technologies such as genomic selection to enhance selection intensity. Targeted, ongoing breeding efforts should focus on key traits—including feed efficiency, high prolificacy, rapid growth, and stress resistance—using data‑driven decision‑making to ensure a steady supply of high‑quality genetic material for the entire industry. Piglet‑multiplication and commercial sow farms must rigorously control introductions, sourcing pigs with superior health status and genetic performance, while promptly replacing older, low‑producing sows, those with limb or hoof issues, or those repeatedly failing to conceive. This approach strengthens farm productivity at the source and reduces fixed‑cost amortization. For small and medium‑sized pig producers, prioritizing sow efficiency is critical: assess genetic stock using PSY and MSY metrics, and when purchasing breeding stock, in addition to health indicators, closely monitor key parameters such as feed‑to‑gain ratio during the growing‑finishing phase, growth rate, and mortality. Experienced operations may consider local pig breeds as maternal lines to produce high‑quality commercial pigs through two‑way or three‑way crossbreeding, thereby enhancing product value.

Precision mating is key to year-round production success during the winter and spring seasons. It is recommended to adopt a three‑way crossbreeding system, selecting superior boars with a backfat thickness-to-body weight ratio below 2.5 and an average daily gain exceeding 850 grams. By implementing precision mating strategies—such as pairing superior animals and minimizing inbreeding—farmers can ensure stable growth performance in offspring and enhance the market quality of finished pigs. For small and medium‑sized pig farms, maintaining thorough records to ensure clear pedigree information is essential. High‑quality semen can be obtained from national or regional boar stations, with pre‑mating semen quality testing conducted. Additionally, techniques like blended insemination should be employed to improve sow conception rates and litter sizes while reducing losses associated with breeding.

Scientifically optimize the herd structure. Sows in their 3rd to 6th parity represent the “golden” production age; both large-scale operations and small- to medium-sized pig farms should promptly cull sows that are of advanced parity, physically weak, or have low litter sizes. An ideal parity distribution is as follows: sows in their 1st–2nd parity account for 30%–40%, those in their 3rd–6th parity for 50%–60%, and sows aged 7 or older no more than 10%. The annual sow replacement rate should be maintained at around 40%; farms with high breeding standards may appropriately increase the replacement intensity.

Ensure proper management of breeding pigs. During the winter and spring, low temperatures, high humidity, and insufficient light often reduce sow reproductive performance. For non‑pregnant sows, implement short‑term intensive feeding to promote rapid weight gain, provide effective estrus stimulation, and maintain a 14–16‑hour photoperiod; additionally, employ measures such as exercise and group mixing to accelerate estrus onset and increase ovulation. During gestation, minimize early‑stage stress to ensure embryo implantation, and adopt stage‑specific, precision feeding in mid‑ and late‑gestation to manage body condition, support fetal development and lactation, prevent abortion, and improve farrowing rates. At the same time, use comprehensive strategies—including return‑to‑estrus checks and ultrasound pregnancy assessments—to promptly identify non‑pregnant sows and reduce non‑productive days. During farrowing and lactation, prioritize smooth delivery and minimize inflammation; provide high‑quality lactating sow diets and creep feed for piglets to ensure maternal and offspring health; wean piglets at an appropriate age to enhance survival and rearing rates. For boars, offer a nutritionally balanced complete diet and appropriate exercise to maintain optimal body condition.

II. Optimize feed formulations to reduce farming costs.

Use locally sourced materials. Leveraging regionally available feed ingredients is one of the most fundamental and sustainable strategies for reducing costs and improving efficiency in swine production. Large-scale farms should capitalize on bulk‑purchase advantages by incorporating readily accessible local coarse grains and cereals, supplemented with enzyme preparations to replace part of the corn; they should also make full use of alternative oilseed meals such as cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal, paired with amino acid supplements, and adopt low‑protein diets to achieve precise, scientifically formulated rations that maintain nutritional adequacy while lowering feed costs. Small and medium‑sized pig producers should prioritize locally produced feed ingredients to effectively cut transportation expenses. At the same time, they should actively explore the utilization of by‑products from local grain and oil processing facilities, which, after proper treatment, can substitute for a portion of commercial feed.

Precision nutrition. During the winter and spring, pigs require more energy to maintain body temperature, which can reduce feed conversion efficiency. To address this, on the one hand, moderately increase dietary nutrient density and elevate levels of vitamins and organic trace minerals to enhance digestibility and mitigate stress. On the other hand, implement a stage‑specific precision nutrition strategy: for piglets, use highly digestible ingredients such as extruded corn and fermented soybean meal, or feed high‑quality starter diets, to improve nutrient utilization; for growing and finishing pigs, slightly reduce protein content while increasing energy levels to accelerate growth. Meanwhile, appropriately incorporate additives like probiotics, enzyme preparations, and herbal extracts to promote herd health and achieve effective cost reductions.

Precision feeding. Small and medium-sized pig farms can adopt group‑based rearing, tailoring diets to different growth stages to prevent both nutrient deficiencies and excesses. Implement scientific, precise feeding practices—offering small, frequent meals—to minimize feed waste. During feeding, ensure adequate warmth and ventilation, and provide an ample supply of clean drinking water. In winter, when temperatures are low, the finishing period may be appropriately extended; however, avoid excessive weight gain, which can reduce feed efficiency and compromise farming profitability.

III. Strengthen disease prevention and control to ensure the health of the pig herd.

Improve the biosecurity system. The winter–spring season is a peak period for viral diseases such as African swine fever, diarrhea, and foot-and-mouth disease. Adhere to the principles of “cutting off transmission, establishing barriers, and eliminating sources,” equip facilities for isolation, cleaning, disinfection, and drying, and implement strict zoning management. Conduct thorough testing and disinfection of incoming vehicles and supplies; require personnel to shower and change clothes rigorously; select highly effective disinfectants suitable for low-temperature conditions, such as potassium peroxymonosulfate complexes, and prepare disinfectant solutions with warm water whenever possible. In winter, rodents congregate in warmer pig houses and serve as important vectors for the spread of viral diseases like African swine fever. Seal all entry points, carry out rodent control, and implement effective measures including isolation, cleaning and disinfection, mosquito and fly prevention, and bird deterrence to systematically block the introduction of pathogens and their intra‑farm transmission. Farm operators—particularly those using surface water—should ensure the safety and hygiene of their water sources. Strengthen health management for introduced breeding pigs by conducting thorough health inspections, quarantine observation, preventive immunization, and post‑introduction testing. For farms practicing all‑in/all‑out systems and batch management, perform thorough cleaning and disinfection after each batch is sold.

Implement effective prevention and control of key livestock diseases. For African swine fever, enforce stringent biosecurity measures and conduct early‑stage surveillance to prevent viral transmission. For foot-and-mouth disease, deploy whole‑herd vaccination while intensifying disinfection efforts. For transmissible gastroenteritis, ensure timely maternal immunization and maintain rigorous temperature control and hygiene in farrowing rooms. For porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, carry out herd‑level cleansing, stabilize herd health, improve air quality, and minimize stressors. For classical swine fever, pseudorabies, porcine circovirus disease, and mycoplasmal pneumonia, establish scientifically sound vaccination schedules, use approved vaccines, conduct regular antibody monitoring, optimize immunization protocols, and cull animals with poor immune responses. For contagious pleuropneumonia, streptococcosis, pasteurellosis, and ileitis, employ vaccination; select antibiotics to which the pathogen is sensitive and rotate agents as needed; strengthen antimicrobial resistance assessments; and avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

IV. Strengthen Production Management and Enhance Farming Efficiency

Promote batch‑production technology. Batch production is a management approach in which sows are divided into groups of equal size, with each group following the same production schedule, and strict all‑in/all‑out practices are implemented. For example, a four‑week batch‑production system enables all farrowing rooms to operate on an all‑in/all‑out basis simultaneously, ensuring that all nursing piglets in a room are of the same age and have identical requirements for temperature and humidity. This facilitates centralized temperature control, effectively breaks disease transmission chains, improves farrowing‑pen utilization, and can increase weaned piglet output by 15%.

Strengthen environmental control. Maintain the farrowing room temperature at 24–26°C, and provide brooding boxes for piglets to ensure a stable internal temperature of 32–35°C during the first week after birth. Promptly dry the piglets’ bodies and disinfect the umbilical cords, ensuring they receive colostrum as early as possible, followed by timely and appropriate vaccinations to enhance disease resistance. Weak piglets should be kept in separate brooding areas and fed small, frequent meals. In winter and spring, when insulating pig houses, prioritize “windproofing without stifling air circulation”; when using straw mats or plastic sheeting to block drafts, take fire‑safety precautions. For pig houses without automatic ventilation, open south‑facing windows at noon for 10–15 minutes per session. In southern regions, where winter humidity is high, pay special attention to nighttime heating and ventilation; avoid excessively low ventilation rates at night, as this can compromise piglet health. Regularly remove manure and replace bedding, keeping indoor humidity ideally between 60% and 70%.

Optimize manure‑waste treatment processes. Farm operators should adopt water‑saving feeding practices, flush‑with‑water manure management, or scraper‑based manure removal to reduce manure generation. After composting, maturation through windrow composting, or anaerobic digestion, the treated manure can be returned to fields locally; alternatively, it may be centrally processed and utilized in accordance with local conditions. Where nearby farmland is insufficient to fully absorb the manure, it should be treated using cost‑effective, practical technologies and then either discharged into the municipal wastewater treatment system or reused/released after meeting regulatory standards.

Original article link: Technical Guidance on Reducing Costs and Increasing Efficiency in Swine Production (moa.gov.cn)

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