SWINE

PRODUCTION
AGRICULTURE LICENSURE EXAMINATION REVIEW
General Information

Type of operation, starts with a 
pregnant sows to produce 
weanlings which are sold to other 
raisers who carry them to slaughter 
weight

A. Farrow to C. Farrow to finish

breeder
B. Grower D. Farrow to feeder
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
 Growing‐finishing 
 Sow Herd
 Farrow to weanling 
 Farrow to finish
 Farrow to breeder
 Boar for Hire (Boar stud)
 Growing ‐ Finishing

WEANLING PIG – 10‐15 KG SLAUGHTER PIG – 80‐85 KG

SOW HERD

REPRO 
CYCLE
Farrow to 
WEANLING/ 
FEEDER
Farrow to 
FINISH

Farrow to 
BREEDER
BOAR for  BOAR 
HIRE STUD
Top pig producing 
region in the 
Philippines

A. 3 C. 6
B. 4 D. 9
REGIONS
512,640 ‐ I II – 539,070

SWINE 
IV – 2,266,010
CAR – 206,150
III – 1,893,580
IVA ‐ 1,794,470

POPULATION 
IVB – 471,540 V – 776,160

1,478,500 ‐ VI
VII – 971,210
VIII – 988,990

PER
CARAGA – 397,970
809,070 ‐ IX  X – 798,020
XI – 937,640
ARMM 272,480 XII – 849,140
Top hog producing 
province in the 
Philippines

A. Batangas C. Iloilo

B. Bulacan D. Cebu
TOP PRODUCING PROVINCE PER REGION
R1‐ PANGASINAN R2 ‐ CAGAYAN
CAR – ABRA
R3 – BULACAN=1,246,480
R4A – BATANGAS = 718,560
R5 – CAMARINES SUR
R4B ‐ PALAWAN

R6 – ILOILO=516,360 R8 ‐ LEYTE

R7 – CEBU=423,950
CARAGA – SURIGAO DEL SUR

R9 –ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR  R10 ‐ BUKIDNON

R11 –DAVAO DEL SUR
ARMM ‐ MAGUINDANAO R12 – SOUTH COTABATO
General Information

A male pig castrated before 
sexual maturity is called 

A. Stag C. Gelding
B. Boar D. Barrow
 A female, which has 
farrowed 2 or more times 

A. Gilt  C. Primaparous sow 

B. Polytocous D. Multiparous sow 

 Refers to one of the piglets in a 
litter in relation to the other pigs 
belonging to one gestation.

A. Litter size  C. Litter mate 
B. Litter interval  D. Litter weight 
General Information

Acceptable average litter 
size at birth 
A. 24 C. 9
B. 16 D. 6
 LITTER SIZE
Refers to the number of pigs
farrowed or weaned from one
gestation
 Litter size at birth
 Litter size born alive
 Litter size at weaning
 Litter size at Birth

9.95

9.90
9.93
9.85
NUMBER

9.80
9.9
9.75
9.81
9.78
9.70 9.76
9.65 9.71
9.60
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

8.46 – 11.47
 Litter size Born Alive
LITTER SIZE BORN ALIVE

9.30

9.25

9.20

9.23 9.24 9.26

NUMBER

9.15

9.10

9.05
9.14
9.00 9.08
8.95
9.05
8.90
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

7.87 – 10.69
 LITTER SIZE AT WEANING
Litter Size at Weaning
8.50

8.40

8.30 8.45 8.47

NUMBER

8.20 8.35
8.10
8.19 8.20
8.00

7.90
8.07
7.80
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

4.70 – 9.69
Litter  Ovulation Rate
size at 
Fertilization
Birth
Embryonic Mortality

STILL BORN

Litter  Litter Size 
size  at 
Born  Weaning 
Alive PreWeaning Mortality
 Percent Still Birth and Mummified Pig
PERCENT MUMMIFIED
Defined ‐ Mummified
 Remains of fetal tissues after the maternal 
3.00

2.80

2.60 uterus has removed bodily fluids leaving 
only the non‐absorbable component of the 
PERCENT

2.40

2.20
fetuses, including the partially calcified 
2.3
2.19 2.18 2.09
2.00

1.80 skeleton.  
 Created when death occur after the onset 
1.60
1.85 1.96
1.40

1.20 of skeletal calcification, approximately 30 ‐
1.00
40 days of gestation
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0.0 – 9.68
 PERCENT STILL BIRTH
Defined ‐ Stillborn
 Death that occurred during the 
5.00
4.80

birth process.
4.60
4.40
4.64 4.63
PERCENT

 Stillborn may be classified into 
4.20
4.00
3.80 4.28 4.40 4.35
two major group, prepartum 
3.98
3.60
3.40

and intrapartum death.
3.20
3.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0.16 – 14.19
 Parameter affecting litter 
size at weaning 

A. Ovulation rate  C. Farrowing rate 

B. Conception rate  D. Weaning to conception 
interval 
 PERCENT PREWEANING MORTALITY

12.00

11.00

10.00 11.57
PERCENT

9.00

8.00
9.63 9.66
9.38
7.00 8.37 8.59
6.00

5.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

2.52 – 50.53
 Refers to the intervening period 
from the end of the suckling period 
to the start of the next pregnancy. 

A. Farrowing index C. Weaning to conception 
interval 
B. Litter interval  D. Farrowing interval 
General Information

Acceptable farrowing interval 
(days), EXCEPT 

A. 142 C. 175
B.  153 D. 160
 Farrowing Interval
 Defined: refers to the period from 
the birth of one litter to the birth of 
the succeeding litter.
 Also known as Litter Interval
 Components
 Pregnancy Period
Lactation  Period 
Weaning to Conception Interval
 Farrowing Interval

Pregnancy  Weaning to  Lactation 

Period Conception  Length
Interval

Infertility Weaning to Estrus 
Interval
 GESTATION PERIOD

115.00

114.90
114.99
114.80

114.70
114.85
114.60 114.73 114.76
DAYS

114.50 114.68
114.40 114.73
114.30

114.20

114.10

114.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

112.74 – 116.70
Farrowing Interval

LACTATION PERIOD
30.00

29.50

29.00

28.50

28.00
28.8 28.66
DAYS

27.50 28.4
27.00 27.94 27.9
26.50 27.7
26.00

25.50

25.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

20.98 – 34.38
 WEANING TO CONCEPTION
INTERVAL
16.00

15.00

14.00 15.13
DAYS

13.00 14.03
13.78
12.00 13.3 13.25

11.00
11.69
10.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

5.31 – 33.47
 FARROWING INTERVAL

160.00

159.00

158.00
159.98
157.00 158.93 158.98
156.00
157.87 157.84
DAYS

155.00

154.00

153.00 156.53
152.00

151.00

150.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

146.24 – 194.94
Acceptable pigs weaned per 
sow per year, EXCEPT 

A. 18 C. 24
B. 16 D. 12
 Parameters affecting pigs 
weaned per sow per year, 
EXCEPT 

A. Post weaning  C. Litter size at weaning 
mortality 
B. Farrowing interval  D. None of the above 
 Acceptable pigs sold per 
sow per year 

A. 15 C. 35
B. 9 D. 40
 PIGS WEANED PER SOW PER
YEAR
19.80

19.60

19.40
19.78
19.20
NUMBER

19.00 19.43
18.80 19.16
19.05
18.60
18.85
18.40
18.69
18.20

18.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

11.49 – 22.26
 PIGS PRODUCED PER SOW
PER YEAR
16.20

16.00

15.80 16.08
15.96
NUMBER

15.60
15.78
15.40
16.09
15.20
15.53

15.00 15.33

14.80

7.93 – 21.05
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
 Sow Productivity
Farrowing  Litter Size at 
Interval Weaning

Pigs Weaned/Sow/Year
Post Weaning 
Mortality

Pigs Sold/Sow/Year
(Tonnage of Pigs Sold/Sow/Year)
 Breeds of Swine

An example of a 
purebred swine.

A. Coltswold C. Berkjala
B. Berkshire D. Seghers
 An example of a
hybrid swine.

A. Diani C. Large black

B. Nieuw Dalland D. Kaman
 An example of an
upgrade swine.

A. Hereford C. Hypor
B. Miracle pig D. Phil. Native pig
 Native
Purebreds
Hybrids
PHILIPPINE 
NATIVE PIG
 Common
Purebreds
LANDRACE – THE LONGEST 
SWINE BREED
YORKSHIRE LARGE WHITE
“MOTHER 
BREED”
 DUROC 
“RED POWER”
PIETRAIN
HAMPSHIRE “THE BELT”
BERKSHIRE

POLAND 
CHINA
CHINESE 
PIGS
MEISHAN
FUNJIANG
 Upgrades
Hybrids
Crossbreds
UPGRADES
•Diani
•Kaman
•Berkjala
•Miracle Pig
CROSSBREEDS

• Landrace x Yorkshire
• Duroc x Pietrain
• Triple Cross
HYBRIDS/ SYNTHETIC 
BREEDS
• Seghers
• Hypor
• Nieuw Dalland
• Bobcock
• Camborough
• PIC
• Tyson
Breeder Management

Permanent improvement in the 
performance of a swine farm can be 
achieve by.

A. Good housing C. Selecting exceptional 
parental stocks
B. Proper nutrition
D. All of the above
Breeder Management

Cross‐bred gilts should be 
superior in terms of

A. Gain in weight C. Litter size at birth

B. Feed Conversion  D. Back fat 
Ratio
Breeder Management

Cross‐bred boars should be 
superior in terms of

A. Litter size at  C. Weaning weight 
birth

B. Feed  D. Birth weight
Conversion 
Ratio
Breeder Management

A good replacement boar should have: 

A. 6 pairs of functional  C. Strong legs  
teats
B. Two pairs of big  D. All of the above
testicles
Breeder Management

Normal sperm 
concentration per semen 
volume .
A. 200‐300 million C. 100 ‐ 150 million 

B. 30 billion   D. 400 billion  
 CHARACTERISTICS OF AVERAGE 
EJACULATES
Volume, ml.  150‐200 (gel free)
Sperm concentration.200‐300 M/ml
Motile sperm, 70 %
Morphologically normal sperm, 80 %
Color, Creamy white
 Characteristic sperm 
motility of a healthy fresh 
semen sample.

A. Reverse C. Circular 

B. Progressive D. Rocking  
Reasons for failure of the boar 
to breed, EXCEPT 
A. High environmental  C. Improper breeding 
temperature  techniques 
B. Homosexuality 
D. Poor sperm count
Lack of libido and failure of the 
boar to breed 
Genetic problems 
High environmental T0
Feet and leg problem 
Boar too fat 
Underfed 
Not handled properly especially during the 
first mating.
Recommended age in first 
breeding of gilts

A. 6 months  C. 8 months 
B. 7 months  D. 9 months 
Recommendations at First 
Breeding of Gilts
eight months 
110 – 120 kg weight.  
second heat cycle 
second day of heat period
 Estrous cycle of
swine

A. 16 days C. 26 days
B. 21 days D. 31 days
 Estrus period in
days

A. 3 days C. 30 days

B. 21 days D. 14 days
 Signs of estrus

A. Mounting pen C. Foaming of the mouth

mates

B. Mucus discharge D. All of the above

from the nose
Feeding gilts with high-energy
ration before breeding is called

A. Full feeding C. Energy

feeding

B. Limited D. Flushing
feeding
Breeder Management

Reasons for failure of gilts and

sows to cycle. EXCEPT

A. Too fat C. Uterine

infection

B. High D. Poor breeding

temperature technique
Failure of some gilts and sow
to cycle
Overfeeding and Underfeeding
Season may be too hot
Afflicted with aflatoxicosis or
mycotoxicosis
Loss of contact of the females with
their sex partners.
Genetic inhibition
Uterine infection
Reasons for failure of the sow
and gilt to conceive but they
are recycling on schedule,
EXCEPT
A. Improper C. Under feeding
mating time

B. Heat stress D. Uterine

infection
Failures of gilts and sows to conceive
but they are recycling on schedule

Mild uterine infection

Aflatoxin or mycotoxins in the feed
Improper time of mating
Occlusions or missing portions of
the duct system
Liquid or pus-like material in the
oviduct
Reason for the sow and gilt to
return to estrus sooner than
21 days

A. Over fat C. Faulty breeding

techniques
B. Under fed D. Endocrine
problem
Gilt and sow return to estrus
sooner than 21 days after
breeding

Endocrine problem or hormonal

imbalance

Estrogenic compound in mold

Breeder Management

Acceptable gestation period of

swine.
114 Days (109-119 days)
A. 3 months 3 C. 109 to 127 days
weeks 3 days
B. 114 weeks D. 5 months
3 months 3 weeks 3 days
Recommended weight
gain of mature sows
during pregnancy

A. 35 kg C. 25 kg
B. 41 kg D. 53 kg
Weight Gain during Gestation

23-27 kg for mature sows

30-41 kg for gilts and young sows
After the fourth litter, sow’s body
weight should be about 163 kg
after weaning for each successive
reproductive cycle.
Keep in mind that the greater the
weight gain during gestation, the
greater the weight loss during
lactation.
 Increase daily feed intake by
10% for pregnant sows if
recommended at
A. First trimester C. Third trimester of
of pregnancy pregnancy

B. Second D. 14 days before

trimester of breeding
pregnancy
 Feeding Pregnant Animals
1.8 to 2.3 kg of a balanced 14 percent
crude protein.
Feed intake of the sow should be restricted
soon after a productive mating.
Feeding the Sow in the Late
Pregnancy
Increasing the level of feeding to at least
15% level of 2.0 kg for primigestation
and light multigestation sows, and 10%
for the fully-grown or heavy
multigestation sows.
Breeder Management

If the sow was bred July 18,

2010 when will you check for
pregnancy?
Solution:

Estrous Cycle = 21 days

(18 – 22 days)
A. August 8, 2010 C. July 28, 2010

B. AugustJuly
18,18, 2010
2010 D.+August
21 days28, 2010

= August 8, 2010
Breeder Management

If the sow farrowed July 18,

2010 when was it bred?

A. March 26, C. March 16,

2010 2010
B. April 26, D. April 19, 2010
2010
Solution:

Gestation Period = 114 days

(109 – 119 days)

July 18, 2010- 114 days

= March 26, 2010

Breeder Management

If the sow was bred July 18,

2003 when will she farrow?

A. November 9, C. November 2,
2003 2003
B. November D. November 29,
19, 2003 2003
Solution:

Gestation Period = 114 days

July 18, 2003 + 114 days

= November 9, 2003
 Feeding of laxative feeds
is recommended at

A. 14 days EDB C. 4 days EDF

B. 7 days EDF D. 5 days post

farrowing
Breeder Management

Acceptable sow condition

score at farrowing

A. 1.5 C. 3.5

B. 2.5 D. 4.5
 Sign of farrowing

A. Distended
udder
B. Swelling of the
vagina

C. Mucus discharge
from the nose
D. Mounting pen mates
Breeder Management

Water requirement of a sow

during lactation
A. 10 liters
Lactating sow
B. 15 gallons consumes as
C. 30 gallons much as 15-30
liters of water
D. 20 liters a day.
Breeder Management

Acceptable sow condition

score after lactation

A. 1.5 C. 5.0

B. 2.5 D. 4.0
A very fat sow has a body
score of

A. 2 C. 4

B. 3 D. 5
Litter Management

Which of the following is an important

litter management practice to prevent
chilling and hypoglycemia.
A. Creep feeding
B. Cutting of
umbilical cord
C. Brooding

D. Cutting of needle teeth

Litter Management

At first week of age baby pigs

prefer an environmental
temperature of

A. 24-25 oC C. 28-29 oC

B. 26-27 oC D. 30-32 oC
Litter Management

Nutritional cause of stillbirth

A. Parvovirus C. Vitamin D
deficiency
B. Toxoplasmoses D. Aflatoxin
 Characteristics of a true still
born weanling

A. Brown-black C. Absence of
color meconium

B. Presence of D. None of the

timbles above
Water requirement for a
suckling pig (ml)

A. 30 C. 90

B. 60 D. 120
Litter Management

Which of the following is an

important management
practice to prevent navel ill.

A. Creep feeding C. Cutting of

umbilical cord
B. Inject iron D. Cutting of needle
dextran teeth
Litter Management

The recommended time to cut

the umbilical cord is;

A. Two days after C. Within the sow’s

farrowing farrowing
process
B. After weaning D. Two days before
farrowing
Litter Management

The needle teeth is cut because

A. It is ugly to see. C. It cuts and wounds

the boars udder
B. Can cause
injuries to D. It reduces the feed
littermates intake
Litter Management

How many needle teeth

should be cut in the boar?

A. 1 C. 8

B. 0 D. 4
Litter Management

The recommended time to cut

the needle teeth is;

A. Two days after C. Within the sow’s

farrowing farrowing process

B. After weaning D. Two days before

farrowing
Litter Management

Which of the following is an

important management
practice to prevent anemia

A. Creep feeding C. Inject iron

dextran
B. Cutting of D. Inject vitamins
umbilical cord
Litter Management

Recommended age for iron

dextran injection

A. 3 days C. 3 months

B. 3 weeks D. 3 years
Litter Management

Which of the following is an

important management
practice needed for proper
record keeping?

A. Cutting umbilical C. Ear tagging

cord
B. Inject iron D. Fostering
dextran
Litter Management

A method of identifying
piglets.

A. Hot iron C. Tail docking

branding
B. Ear notching D. Wing band
Litter Management

Transferring one or more

piglets from a litter of one sow
to another is known as

A. Piglet swapping C. Shift suckling

B. Rotational D. Fostering
feeding
Litter Management

Recommended age to offer

creep feed.

A. 7 days C. 21 days

B. 14 days D. 28 days
Litter Management

Main reasons for castrating

slaughter pigs.

A. For thinner back C. Fast growth rate

fat
B. Remove the D. Better feed
boar taint efficiency
Litter Management

Cause of tail biting

A. Excess C. Parasite infection

humidity
B. Shortage of
D. All of the above
fiber
Litter Management

Removal of a portion of the

pigs tail

A. Cutting C. Tail biting

B. Shoat D. Docking
 Feeder management

Water requirement for a

weanling pig (liter).

A. 2 C. 8

B. 6 D.10
Feeder management

Water requirement for a

growing pig (liters)

A. 7 C. 21

B. 14 D. 28
 Daily H2O Requirement of Pig

Body Weight (kg) Liter/Day Intake

14 2.3
14-32 2.7
32-57 7.7
57-100 9.0-11.4
Pregnant sows 13.6-16.8

Lactating sows 18.2-22.7

Feeder management

The daily feed intake of a four

month old pig (kg)

A. 3.0 C. 1.5

B. 2.0 D. 0.5
Feeder management

Class of swine with the

highest energy requirement

A. Pre-starter C. Grower

B. Starter D. Finisher
Feeder management

Class of swine with the

highest protein requirement

A. Pre-starter C. Grower

B. Starter D. Finisher
Feeder management

Floor space requirement of a

15 kg pig (m2)

A. 0.27 C. 0.54

B. 0.46 D. 0.72
Feeder management

If the average daily gain (ADG) of

the animal is 500 g. How long will
it take a 15 kg pig to reach 85 kg.

A. 175 C. 350
B. 140 D. 240
Solution:
ADG= Final wt. – initial wt.
days on test

500 g or 0.5 kg = 85 kg – 15 kg
???
??? = 70/.5

Days to Reach= 140 days

Feeder management

If a 20 kg pig has an average daily gain

of 750 grams, what will be the weight
of the animal after 80 days?
A. 60 kg C. 60,000kg

B. 80 kg D. 75 kg
Solution:
ADG= Final wt. – initial wt.
days on test

750 g or 0.75 kg = ?? kg – 20 kg
80 days
??? = (0.75 x 80) + 20

Final weight = 80 kg
Feeder management

If a 15 kg feeder stock consume 175 kg

of feed to reach 85 kg. What is the feed
conversion ratio (FCR) of the animal?

A. 2.0 C. 3.0

B. 2.5 D. 3.5

Solution:
FCR = Total Amount of Feed Consumed
Gain in Weight

FCR = 175/ 85-15

FCR = 175/70
FCR= 2.50
Feeder management

If the animal has a feed conversion

ratio of 2.0, how much feed is needed
for a 10 kg pig to reach 100 kg.

A. 225 kg C. 200 kg
B. 180 kg D. 210 kg
Solution:
FCR = Total Amount of Feed Consumed
Gain in Weight

2.0 = ???/ 100 – 10

2.0 = ???/90
2.0 x 90 = Total amount of feed
consumed
Total amount of feed consumed = 180 kg