Intensive swine operation // Sur del Lago

Porcicultura in Venezuela, is a practice that has been little supported in terms of economic policies; The current government at one time implemented, through different entities, the financing and advice to the Swine Production Units, seeking to ensure in this way the existing demand in the national market.

Currently we can see the low production of pork in the area south of Lake Maracaibo, this due to the high costs of processed foods that are needed for such production among many other factors. It has been possible to see how the few existing producers in the area have carried out an extensive production system for pigs, seeking to reduce expenses in terms of food and facilities.

That is why the following proposal is presented:
The Production Unit (U.P.) "Doña Carmen" located in the municipality of Colon border with the Municipality Catatumbo, livestock dedicated to the intensive swine exploitation, which has 20 hectares of land. Having as main purpose the obtaining of pigs with excellent weights and performance in channel to cover the local market.

When conducting a Study of the Environment we could contact that the following opportunities are observed:

1.- There are currently financing in private financial institutions with a low interest rate and convenient payment installments.

2.- The research carried out in the university extensions regarding swine genetics in recent years in our country.

3.- Take advantage of the increase in consumption (demand) of pork in Venezuela.

4.- The access and penetration roads adjacent to the production unit are in good condition.

5.-The urban area near the farm has several suppliers.

6.- The south zone of the lake has UNESUR which is in charge of professional forms in the agricultural area.

7.- They count in the zone with Refrigeration Companies.

The following threats were also observed:
1.- The presence of substitute meat with good performance as the bovine and poultry.

2.- The perception that the consumer has regarding pork is negative since they believe that it contains a lot of fat and is difficult to digest.

3.- Lack of campaign to promote and spread pork meat compared to beef.

4.- The existing government policies at the moment.

5.- Fluctuation in the prices of inputs and supplies.

6.- The presence of other pig U.P in the area.

7.- The rustling existing in the area.

8.- The labor force existing in the area is not aware of the intensive exploitation of pigs.

In the same way it is necessary to make an Internal Analysis of the U.P. "Doña Carmen" Beginning with the strengths we could see that:
1.- The U.P has an area for the cultivation of star grass.

2.- They have an intensive or technified exploitation system.

3.- The U.P has a computerized system under the SCC platform (system for the care of pigs).

4.- They have an artificial insemination system.

5.- The U.P has basic services (electricity, water, telephone).

6.- Availability of land surface to build more pigsties.

7.- They have tropicalized porcine breeds such as the Yorhshire F1 with Landrace.

8.- Own means of transportation.

At the same time the Livestock Unit has the following weaknesses:
1.- The pigs in the tropical zone are very vulnerable to respiratory and parasitic diseases.

2.- The human resource recruited for new income has little knowledge about the management of an intensive exploitation of swine livestock.

3.- As an intensive pig farm, high costs are incurred for the maintenance of the facilities.

4.- High percentage of relative humidity existing in the pigsties.

5.- Additional costs for the placement of curtains in the pens.

6.- The concentrated foods that are supplied to the pigs represent the cost structure from 40% to 50% of them.

7.- Lack of private surveillance.

8.- High mortality of piglets.

When carrying out an analysis of the study carried out, it can be concluded with the following:
1.- The U.P should take advantage of the cultivation of star grass to feed the pigs at the moment that the importation of concentrated foods in the country is affected.

2.- Through the F1 crossing of YORHSHIRE with LANDRACE it is possible to obtain higher meat yield in pig carcasses, thus minimizing competition from other producers in the area.

3.- It must disseminate the techniques applied in the U.P through the means of communications existing in the area, to improve the perception that the consumer has about pork.

4.- You must implement a private surveillance service to counteract the rustling in the area.

5.- Train by means of a course to the contracted personnel and to the contracted staff and interested people who live in the area, about the management of the U.P intensive pigs.

6.- Plant trees that serve as a windbreak barrier to reduce the transmission of diseases due to the proximity of other producers.

7.- To take advantage of the financing of the private institutions at the moment that the application of the infrastructure is required (pigsties among others), since there is enough land extension.

8.- Take into account the research carried out in the university extensions to introduce a new breed crossbreed that is adaptable to the zones.

9.- Decrease the delivery time of the pigs to the refrigerator; since they have their own transport and this company is in the vicinity of the U.P.

10.- The implementation of techniques by professional midwives graduates of UNESUR hired by the U.P, to reduce the mortality of piglets. Example: placement of artificial light in maternity leave.

11.- Take advantage of the research carried out by the university extensions to counteract the existing swine diseases.

PROPOSAL FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PLAN
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The UP "Doña Carmen" livestock search in a period of five years to be the UP with intensive model system of the country in terms of breeding and fattening pigs, to obtain sales firm with the main processors of pork meat nationally achieving this increase its level of profitability, productivity and competitiveness, to dominate the national market and contribute to the agro-food security of the country.

General purpose:
Achieve to be a leading livestock company at the national level contributing to the development and supply of pork and by-products in the national market.

Specific objectives:
1.- Build a greater number of pigsties to increase the swine herd.
2.- Stay updated with respect to Biosecurity measures.
3.- Continue teaching training courses and training to new staff.
4.- Build a bio-digester for the treatment of excreta.
5.- Buy more vehicles to transport pigs.
6.- Acquire innovation in the control and registration systems (reproduction, health, accounting, among others).

In conclusion we can say that the intensive swine exploitation demands a large capital investment, but it achieves a higher yield of the carcass animal.

Author:
@surlaguense
Student of Agricultural Production Engineer