Cutting Pig Feed Costs down by 75% - Cape Town South Africa

Pig farming is a challenge anywhere in South Africa.

I have compiled some tips to get your feeding cost down, and to control some deceases.

If you are fortunate to be one of the few pig farmers with plenty land, why not use the land to feed your pigs. I took 7 hectare and made 15 camps.  I bought a Gallaghar Power Plus B180 shock machine for R2400.00 ($250) and made the camps about 70 square meters. 

Sixty pigs feed outside on the pasture and I let them stay there for 3 days. 

After the rotation is completed (15 x Camps at 3 Days) they will be back on camp one, 45 days later. This is enough time for the
pasture to grow back and provide feed for another 3 days.

To save further costs I have made my own droppers with building blocks and post's that I have cut into 600mm pieces. This works out around R30.00 (3$)per piece and you can move it freely and effectively as needed.

If you are not fortunate to have a bigger piece of land you go to the closest Farmers store and try to buy the following.

White Maize 100kg @ R360.00 ($36.00)

Yellow Maize 50kg @ R240.00 ($24.00) 8 Bags of Bran 25kg x 4 @ R560.00 ($54.00)
Grower R50kg @ R270.00 ($27.00)
Wheat Sifted 100kg @ R70.00 ($7.00)
 

The total for half a ton will be R1500.00 ($150.00) at an average of R3.00 ($0.30) per kg.

When your pigs has scabs on their backs you can treat it with Decotmax. It is rather expensive, but very effective. You can substitute it by rubbing their backs with old car oil. That will smother the bacteria, but does take a bit longer.

Finally, when your pigs appears to be sick or starting to form lumps on it's backs or sides you can use Terramycen La. They will be back on their feet in no time.

You have to clean your camps on a daily base to avoid diseases and other unwanted bacteria.