Can pigs graze? Are you crazy?

So can pigs graze?

Atypically people look at grazing animals as cows which are ruminants. From this point we need to assume a few things. Below is basically a compilation of some of my research of some very well known people in my field who I consider the trail blazers. They have answered this better than I ever could however the question below allow for a simple explanation of those things.

1)Are pigs ruminants? If they aren’t do other animals operate the same way (monogastric systems)? Are those animals successful on pasture if maintained correctly?

2)Rooting, is this bad or good, what is actually going on?

3)When pigs or any other animals are kept on a field will it turn to mud? Are pigs just better at it?

4)Can pigs be utilized in a managed rotational grazing system?

1)Are pigs ruminants? If they aren’t do other animals operate the same way (monogastric systems) ? Are those animals successful on pasture if maintained correctly?

Pigs are not ruminants. However they are monogastric animals. This is obvious and does not need to be explained however we do need to understand how other animals similar to swine are able to thrive under the same circumstances. For example, horses and rabbits. Although these 2 animals may not be a ruminant with the ability to achieve maximum energy absorption, they are able to digest the cellulose for use. They do this via symbiotic gut bacteria, utilizing hindgut fermentation(1).

2)Rooting, is this bad or good, what is actually going on? (2)

Traditional pigs do like to root. If we as farmers do not understand what is actually going on we do a disservice to ourselves as well as to the animals we raise. Atypically pigs root for several reasons. Heat, food/pasture maturity, boredom.

When looking at the heat scenario, if we can eliminate the heat, or at least by providing relief the rooting issue can be minimized. This can be done by creating sufficient shade, a created wallow or an indoor area. To most a wallow seems like the worst. However I think this is the best. It provides natural sunscreen, allows for better nutrients gains from the soil and allows a pig to be a pig. The other factor of a wallow that I find is good, is that it allows them to cool quickly and get back to grazing. Now this can also be a bad thing. If left the wallow can cause others factors that can be negative. Hence rotational grazing is important.

For rooting in tandem with food sources we need to consider several factors. Time of year, precipitation what is actually available, and pasture maturity. If the food available (grasses) are not up to par they will need to get their nutrients elsewhere (mature pasture, please see (2) for a little more info). Since pigs are natural herbivores then that is under the soil. They will hunt for mice, worms and grubs etc. Secondly, let’s look at the time of year. If it is after a frost for instance tubers and roots tend to become a tastier source of nutrients, and rooting starts to become a problem. Then there is level of precipitation. If there is more, then the soil is easier to turn and worms start to come to the surface hence a tasty snack. This precipitation also allows for much easier acces to any of the other items including boredom, food and heat.

However I have found pasture maturity tends to be one of the problems that needs the most work, but if the others are not dealt with in tandem, then the whole system will fall apart and you end up with mud.

3)When pigs or any other animals are kept on a field will it turn to mud? Are pigs just better at it?

This is a relatively easy question to answer. However when looking at all livestock, and setting rooting aside, all will turn a field to mud at some point if over stocked and not rotated. In regards to rooting, pigs will have the ability to do it a bit faster if this becomes a problem. However if this is a mature pasture and has had pigs on it before then it may become less of a factor when considering the other livestock. See question 2 for rooting issues.

4)Can pigs be utilized in a managed rotational grazing system?

Yes! Above we have talked about several factors that will address the main concern when it comes to pasture destruction. If this has been handled then pigs can be utilized not only in a pasture setting but also in a forest setting. They then will like other animals need to be supplemented with different livestock needs to ensure optimal growth. For instance when it comes to swine lysine is an issue. If given adequate supply of this then there should be no problem .

1)Hind gut fermentation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindgut_fermentation

2) rooting: why is this done?
Root Less in Vermont
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2011/10/03/rootless-in-vermont/

Scientific articles

GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF THE IBERIAN PIG IN THE MONTANERA FATTENING PERIOD
http://www.eaap.org/Previous_Annual_Meetings/2005Uppsala/Papers/P4.44_Rodrigo_estevez.pdf?hc_location=ufi

Alternative Swine Unit
http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/whatwedo/researchunits/alternativeswine.html

Grazing pigs

Pigs eat grass
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2011/11/17/hays-here-2011-pigs-eat-grass/

Pastured Pigs
http://flashweb.com/animals/pigs/

How much land per acre
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2007/10/12/how-much-land-per-pig/

Happy as a pig in clover
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2009/09/06/happy-as-pigs-in-clover/

Raising pigs on pasture