Pig farming in South Africa is not as difficult as many people believe, because Daff has created many in-depth pig farming PDFs that will guide you as a beginner. To succeed in pig farming, you need to look after them, feed them, and ensure that they have all their basic needs. The vital areas to look out for include: heat and cold protection, adequate water, and a proper place to farrow.
The most difficult aspect of running a pig farming business is definitely finding the right market. Of course, your local abattoir and your customers are the two easiest options on top of your pig farming business plan, but what if you want to expand your business and start supplying large grocery chains or butcheries, or start contracting with pig farmers?
Pig Farming in South Africa Under Contract
What exactly is contract pig farming or contract growing?
When a corporation with a large number of pigs places its pigs in your building and pays you rent every month, this is known as contract farming. These businesses normally use growers (people who look after the pigs) during the growth period.
Contract growing is a great idea that was developed in the 1990s, and it is less stressful for landowners because they don’t have to worry about losing animals or keeping up with feed bills.
What stands out with these types of contracts is the fact that each company has its own set of agricultural standards and restrictions, so keep in mind that certain adjustments may need to occur on your farm. When you, as a farmer, decide to go with contract farming, you should think about the long-term implications. This is the right time to think about profits over investment. Questions such as how much is needed to meet the set standard to host these pigs, and how much you stand to benefit from the deal are some questions to be asked and answered by you or your executive team during this step.
If you farm for retail companies, you are likely to receive an extension agent or an inspector at least once a week to give you advice or to help you develop in areas where you are deficient.
One of the benefits of contract farming is that you don’t have to buy feed, which is one of the reasons so many farmers fail to run a pig-producing business. As a contract farmer, you also avoid market-related stress. Therefore, this is an ideal business for people who just love pig production but lack the financial muscle to farm properly.
