Buying and Selling Pigs
SAPPO Training Course
Buying pigs


Whether you are buying pigs to start pig
farming, to replace stock or to increase the
size of your herd, there are some factors
besides price that must be considered in
order to avoid losses and disappointment
It is better to pay a higher price for a good
pig than to pay a low price and lose the
money because the pig dies or fails to
perform as you would expect it to
Sources of pigs for sale

Recognised breeders


Live auctions


The most reliable source for buying good quality
breeding stock
Risky unless you know the herd of origin and
the pig is accompanied by a veterinary health
certificate
Friends and neighbours

No problem as long as you know their pigs are
healthy and productive and their reason for
selling pigs
Some tips for buying pigs



NEVER buy pigs from a doubtful source like a
travelling speculator or at the roadside
ALWAYS examine the pig carefully to make
sure that it is healthy
Remember that there are regulations for
moving pigs, make sure that you comply with
any requirements for a movement permit
Do not buy from these…
Selling pigs





There are various options:
Selling weaners to another producer for
growing out (if you cannot afford to feed
them until they reach market weight)
Porkers – 60-70 kg live mass
Baconers – 75-100 kg live mass
Cull sows and boars (do not keep breeders
past their sell-by date)
Guidelines for selling pigs
Class of pig
Weaners
Weaners
Porkers
Baconers
Cull adults
Live mass
Observations
9-10 kg (6 weeks) Good for cash
flow
25 kg (10-12
See next slide
weeks)
for price
Up to 70 kg (55
Sell as heavy as
kg carcass)
possible
75-95 kg (56-72
Sell as heavy as
kg carcass)
possible
Not applicable
Price negotiable
Guidelines for prices

Formula to negotiate price for weaners:


9-10 kg: Current baconer price per kg x 24*
25 kg: Current baconer price per kg x 30*
Sell porkers and baconers as heavy as possible within
their class
 Price per kg for baconers usually slightly lower than
for porkers
 Price for cull animals negotiable on age and condition
*Suggested figures, but prices always negotiated

Where/how to market pigs

Agents




Work on producers’ behalf at large
abattoirs
Make arrangements at abattoir (pay fees
etc.)
Obtain best price for pigs on day of sale
Charge a fee for their services
Where/how to market pigs

Private contract



Must produce good pigs consistently
Contract with butcher or distributor to buy
your pigs at a stable, negotiated price for
an agreed period of time
Protects against daily variations in market
price
Where/how to market pigs

Live auctions



Can sell mixed batches of pigs of varying
quality
Pigs will require movement permits and
identification (tattoos)
Price depends on what bidders are
prepared to offer
Where/how to market pigs

Other options



Direct sales to small abattoirs as pigs
become available
Private local sales of live pigs
Home slaughter


Must comply with provisions of Animal
Protection Act
Meat may not be offered for sale if not
inspected and passed by a meat inspector
Legal requirements

Make sure that you know
and comply with the legal
requirements for:




Sale of pigs for human
consumption
Movement of pigs
Identification of pigs that
move (ear tattoo)
Home slaughter
Any questions?