What is this Project About?
The 4-H swine project helps you learn about swine breeds, health care, production, management, showmanship, marketing and careers in the swine industry. Learn principles of animal science and gain life skills, like responsibility, by owning, caring for and keeping records on one or more head of livestock. Gain knowledge of sound breeding, feeding and management practices.
Starting Out
- Learn breed names and descriptions
- Identify swine body parts
- Plan a facility to keep swine safe and healthy
- Learn how to feed and water your pig
- Identify how a normal pig looks and acts
- Name and describe pork meat cuts
Learning More
- Learn differences in preparing pork cuts by cooking and tasting
- Explore normal pig characteristics
- Understand swine management practices
- Analyze and make decisions on how to solve swine issues
- Formulate a swine ration
Going Further
- Learn about swine genetics
- Plan swine breeding
- Explore farrow-to-finish facilities
- Learn how to manage baby pigs
- Balance a swine ration
- Explore international swine markets
- Visit a local feed mill and see how feed ingredients are mixed, weighed and blended to make a complete ration
- Compare feed tags from different companies
- Visit a local meat locker or local grocery meat case to observe preparation and packaging
- Learn how to evaluate meat cuts, quality grade, yield grade and how these affect taste and cost
- Ride with a local veterinarian to learn about animal health
- Participate on a livestock judging team and compete in the State Livestock Judging Contest
- Participate on a meat judging team and compete in the States Meats Judging Contest
- Research swine by-products
- Consider showing in your County Fair swine show or the Wisconsin State Fair
