Breeding and Market Swine
Our 4-H youth can work with breeding & market beef, breeding & market sheep, breeding & market swine, and/or dairy cattle. These projects help them to learn about agriculture and helps them develop an appreciation for the livestock industry. When a child owns and works with their animals, they learn about selection, care, feeding of livestock, animal health, and importance of good record keeping and this information will help them do well in their project. All livestock projects require the youth to take the Meat Quality Assurance (MQA) training that is provided each year.
Why Swine?
The swine project teaches participants proper methods of selecting, raising, breeding and marketing swine. Either market or breeding animals can be raised.
Starting Out, Beginner Jr./Int./Sr.
Starting Out, Beginner
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn about swine
- Learn how to produce a safe, wholesome product
- Identify the parts of a pig
- Learn about nutritional requirements and different types of feed
- Practice evaluating swine
- Learn about a pig's digestive system Identify common swine diseases
- Learn how to keep records
- Learn how to assume responsibility
Learning More, Intermediate, Jr./Int./Sr.
Learning More, Intermediate
Inspiring youth to:
- Investigate technology's impact on swine production
- Learn how to exhibit your animal
- Purchase, feed, and care for pigs
- Learn about goal setting
- Gain knowledge of sound management practices
- Develop sportsmanship and public speaking skills
Exploring Depth, Advanced, Jr./Int./Sr.
Exploring Depth, Advanced
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn how to deal with current issues related to raising swine
- Gain leadership skills by helping others learn about swine
- Explore career opportunities in the swine industry
- Build lifelong friendships
Swine Diseases
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV)
Animal Care and Housing Form