Gut oedema can be prevented in piglets by vaccinating mothers before breeding.
One reason why pig and other livestock farming often fails is that investors enter the business without first seeking the necessary information.
While almost all farmers claim they venture into the business to make money, many start as a hobby.
Hobby farming involves keeping livestock primarily to stay occupied or “have something to do.” This differs from sentimental farming, where the investor finds personal satisfaction in keeping animals.
Sentimental farmers are often the best at observing animal welfare, as they work to keep their livestock in excellent condition. They derive value from the animals’ well-being, their own peace of mind, and the appreciation of visitors to their farms. However, sentimental farmers usually disregard the economic value of their animals. They can spend any amount to maintain the animals in top form or acquire specific breeds of their choice.
Today, sentimental farmers are encouraged to monetise some aspects of their farming through activities such as agritourism and premium animal sales.
For instance, someone keeping special breeds of cattle for sentimental reasons could charge visitors who want to see them. If the herd grows larger than desired, the excess animals could be sold to others seeking similar breeds.
A notable example is the Chianina breed, known as the largest cow in the world, standing two metres tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 2,000 kilogrammess when mature. A farm with such cattle would undoubtedly attract agritourism.
In contrast, hobby farmers and those focused solely on profit are often the least successful livestock keepers. Many start without fully considering the costs and complexities of livestock farming.
As a result, animals are frequently neglected or poorly cared for. Hobby farmers soon realise the venture is costly and fraught with hidden expenses and uncertainties. Similarly, profit-driven farmers discover that making money in livestock farming requires large-scale operations, intensive labour, and scientific expertise.
I always appreciate when individuals seek professional advice before starting livestock farming.
Last week, David, an accountant, visited me with a single question: “What do I need to know to start commercial pig farming?” He explained that as an accountant, he could not enter a business without adequate information.
Commercial pig farming requires proper infrastructure, sufficient animals of the right breed, and effective management and sales systems. Interestingly, David had already visited one of the country’s major pig processors to gain an overview of pig farming.
I asked him several questions to understand his knowledge gaps. It quickly became clear he had learned much from his visit, so I asked him to identify the areas where he felt unsure.
David’s first question was about the number of pigs needed for economic viability. I explained that, based on our experience and market prices, he would need to sell at least 50 baconers monthly, reared over six to six-and-a-half months, to make a fair profit. Achieving this would require a minimum of 36 sows divided into groups of six.
This surprised David, as he had planned to start with two pigs per month and build up to 24 sows within a year. He had underestimated the output, failing to account for the fact that a well-managed sow averages 10 piglets raised to maturity.
His second question was whether it would be cost-effective to use boars from other farms for breeding instead of keeping his own. Many farmers are tempted by this idea but often regret it.
Outsourcing boars poses three major problems: the genetic quality of the boar is usually unknown, the disease status of the boar or its source herd is uncertain, and there is a high risk of transmitting reproductive and other diseases to the sows.
David’s final question was whether it would be better to buy weaner piglets and rear them for market rather than breeding his own. While this model works in countries like the United States, where pig farming is conducted on a large scale, it is not advisable in Kenya.
In Kenya, the margins in pig farming are small, and most farmers produce low numbers.
This makes it challenging to consistently source the quantity and quality of weaner piglets needed to sustain the sale of 50 baconers per month. Breeding his own sows and raising piglets from birth to slaughter would be more economical.
