Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1988

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr.

Committee Members

Roy Lessly, Emmit Rawls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare feeder pig producers in three west Tennessee counties having feeder pig sales and producers in other District I counties and statewide as to their personal and farm characteristics, use of pig production practices and Extension contacts. Data were obtained from three Extension leaders in west Tennessee; state feeder pig sale summary compiled by Dr. Emmit Rawls and 577 feeder pig and farrow-to-finish producers located in 77 Tennessee counties. Interview survey data were collected and the data were then coded and processed for computer analysis. Computations were made by the University of Tennessee Computing Center. The chi square test was used to determine the significance and strength of the relationship between the dependent and independent variable. The .05 probability level was accepted as significant. Major findings included the following: 1. In 1985 the percent of feeder pigs sold grading number 1 were higher at the Huntingdon sale than either the Brownsville or Lexington sale. The percent of pigs grading number 2 and 3 was higher in 1985 and 1986 at Lexington than either Brownsville or Huntingdon. 2. Feeder pig producers in the three sale counties did not differ as to age, education or employment. 3. Carrol County had the highest percent of producers with less than 42 sows, weaning and selling less than 200 pigs compared to Haywood and Henderson. Haywood had the highest percent of producers selling lighter weight (less than 50 pounds) pigs compared to Carrol or Henderson Counties. 4. Henderson and Haywood had a higher percentage of producers practicing health recommendations by vaccinating sows twice for leptospirosis, vaccinating sows twice for rhinitis, vaccinating sows and boars twice for parvovirus, worming sows four times per year, treating sows five or more times for lice and using medication and antibiotics in water compared to Carrol County. 5. Carrol County had a higher percentage of producers following the recommended feeding practices by feeding pregnant sows 4-6 pounds of feed, feeding nursing sows 13 to 20 pounds of feed, feeding pigs creep feed only, using both medication in sow gestation and pigs weaning ration compared to Haywood and Henderson Counties. 6. Haywood and Henderson Counties had a higher percent of their producers making Extension office visits and Extension farm visits compared to Carrol County. 7. Other feeder pig sale counties had a higher percentage of producers that were part-time farmers compared to producers in sale counties. 8. Feeder pig producers in sale counties and other feeder pig sale counties did not differ in farm characteristics. 9. Sale counties had a higher percentage of producers following the recommended feeding practices compared to other feeder pig sale counties. 10. Sale counties had a higher percent of producers attending swine meetings and receiving farm visits from the veterinarian, compared to other feeder pig sale counties. 11. Feeder pig producers in sale counties and other District I counties did not differ in producer characteristics. 12. Other District I counties had a larger percent of producers that sold pigs weighing 51 pounds and over compared to sale counties. 13. Sale counties had a higher percentage of producers following the recommended feeding practices by feeding under 6 pounds of feed to pregnant sows, feeding 13 to 20 pounds of feed to nursing sows, feeding creep feed only and using both medication in sow gestation and pigs weaning ration than other feeder pig sale counties. 14. Sale counties had the highest percent of producers attending swine meetings, making telephone calls and receiving farm visits, compared to other District I counties. Implications and recommendations were also included.

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