farrow-to-feeder operation
Quick Summary
A farrow-to-feeder operation is a specific system within pork production. In this model, producers manage the breeding herd, including gestating sows and piglets, until the piglets reach the "feeder" stage. This typically occurs when piglets weigh between 11 to 15 pounds (early weaning) or 40 to 55 pounds (around eight weeks old). At this point, the piglets are sold to another entity that will raise them to market weight. Farrow-to-feeder operations are known for having the highest labor requirements among the common pork production systems.1
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