Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hog Farmer

🎯 Role Definition

A Hog Farmer (Swine Producer) is responsible for the day-to-day care, management, and production of pigs in commercial, family, or contract farming systems. This role combines animal husbandry, biosecurity, record keeping, and operational management to maximize herd health, productivity, and profitability while maintaining compliance with environmental and animal welfare standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong practical skills in farrowing, weaning, feed and nutrition management, breeding, and facility maintenance, and will be comfortable working in both physically demanding and detail-oriented environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Farm Hand / Livestock Assistant
Animal Care Technician
Feed Mill or Barn Technician

Advancement To:

Herd Manager / Swine Production Manager
Farm Operations Manager
Contract Grower / Farm Owner

Lateral Moves:

Dairy or Poultry Farm Manager
Agricultural Equipment Technician
Livestock Nutrition or Sales Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage daily care and welfare of all hogs across age groups (sows, boars, piglets, weaners, growers, finishers) to ensure optimal growth rates and welfare standards.
Implement and maintain comprehensive biosecurity protocols (quarantine procedures, visitor control, disinfection routines) to prevent introduction and spread of disease within the herd.
Oversee farrowing operations, including supervision of farrowing sows, monitoring piglet births, providing immediate neonatal care, performing cross-fostering, and ensuring colostrum intake for newborn piglets.
Conduct breeding and reproductive management activities — heat detection, estrus synchronization, artificial insemination (AI), and boar management — to maximize conception and farrowing rates.
Monitor herd health through regular observation, early disease detection, administering prescribed medications and vaccinations, and coordinating veterinary interventions and herd health programs.
Plan and execute feeding programs and nutritional plans for each production stage, manage feed inventories, handle feed delivery and mixing, and work with nutritionists to adjust rations for performance and cost-efficiency.
Record, analyze, and maintain detailed production records (births, weans, feed conversion ratios, mortality, weights, medication logs) for performance tracking, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
Manage weaning schedules, transition protocols, and piglet care to minimize post-weaning stress, reduce mortality, and improve growth performance.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot barn equipment and mechanical systems including feeders, waterers, ventilation fans, heaters, pumps, and automated handling systems to ensure reliable operation.
Maintain environmental controls (ventilation, temperature, humidity) within barns and gestation/farrowing rooms to optimize pig comfort and performance while conserving energy.
Oversee manure management and lagoon or storage systems — handle manure removal, storage, spreading logistics, and compliance with environmental regulations and nutrient management plans.
Supervise and train farm staff and seasonal workers on animal handling, safety, emergency response, and standard operating procedures to build a reliable production team.
Perform routine facility maintenance, repairs, sanitation, and bedding management to maintain a clean, safe, and biosecure environment.
Implement and monitor animal welfare protocols and participate in third-party welfare audits or certification programs (when applicable) to align with customer, retailer, or regulatory expectations.
Manage daily logistics and scheduling for loading/unloading animals, coordination with transporters, and preparation for market or transfer to finishing facilities.
Conduct on-farm quality assurance and food safety activities — including medication withdrawal monitoring, product traceability, and adherence to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) relevant to pork production.
Participate in cost control activities: monitor feed usage, labor efficiency, veterinary and medication costs, and recommend operational changes to improve profitability.
Develop and execute herd-level health and production improvement plans using performance metrics, benchmarking data, and advice from veterinarians and nutritionists.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local agricultural regulations, workplace safety standards, and environmental permits affecting livestock operations.
Respond to and manage emergency situations such as disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, power loss, or animal welfare incidents in a calm and effective manner.
Coordinate with neighboring farms, integrators, extension agents, and supply chain partners to synchronize production schedules, procure supplies, and adopt best practices.
Use basic farm management software or digital record systems to input data, run reports, and support decision-making around production, sales, and herd health.

Secondary Functions

Support farm-level budgeting and procurement activities, assist with ordering feed, supplies, and replacement stock to ensure uninterrupted production.
Contribute to farm biosecurity reviews and continuous improvement initiatives tied to corporate or cooperative production standards.
Collaborate with veterinarians and nutritionists to trial new feeds, vaccines, or husbandry techniques and report outcomes to management.
Train and mentor new employees on humane handling, injection techniques, and farm SOPs to raise overall team competency.
Participate in community or cooperative meetings and share production data, challenges, and opportunities to improve regional herd health.
Support data collection for traceability, sustainability, and reporting programs (e.g., antibiotic use records, welfare audits, nutrient management) to meet buyer or regulatory requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Swine husbandry and life-cycle management (farrowing, nursery, grower/finisher operations).
Reproductive management: heat detection, artificial insemination (AI), and boar handling.
Herd health monitoring: vaccine schedules, medication administration, and disease recognition.
Feed management and nutrition basics, feed mixer operation, and ration adjustments.
Barn environmental control and HVAC systems knowledge (ventilation, heaters, thermostats).
Equipment operation and maintenance (feeders, gates, hydraulic systems, generators).
Manure handling systems and nutrient management practices (lagoon, storage, spreading).
Record keeping and production metrics (wean weight, mortality, ADG, FCR) using farm software or spreadsheets.
Basic electrical, plumbing, and mechanical troubleshooting for farm infrastructure.
Biosecurity protocols, sanitation procedures, and PPE use to minimize pathogen risk.
Loading/unloading and animal handling safety techniques, low-stress handling practices.
Regulatory compliance knowledge: environmental, waste management, and animal welfare rules.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills and attention to detail for early detection of health or performance issues.
Problem-solving mindset and ability to make timely decisions under pressure.
Physical stamina and willingness to perform manual labor in all weather conditions.
Effective communication and team leadership to train, supervise, and motivate farm staff.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability to changing schedules, production demands, and emergency situations.
Record discipline and data-driven approach to optimize herd performance.
Commitment to animal welfare and ethical livestock stewardship.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; demonstrated hands-on experience in livestock or farm work often substituted for formal education.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field is preferred for supervisory or management roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Agriculture / Agricultural Systems
Veterinary Technology / Pre-Vet
Agribusiness / Farm Management
Biology / Animal Nutrition

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years hands-on experience with swine or other livestock for entry to mid-level positions.
3–7+ years of progressive responsibility (herd supervision, farrowing oversight, biosecurity leadership) preferred for senior or manager roles.

Preferred:

Prior experience with commercial hog operations (farrow-to-finish or specialized systems), demonstrated success in improving production metrics (wean rates, FCR), experience with AI, and a proven record of maintaining biosecurity and regulatory compliance.