Buy-in Weaners vs Keeping Sows: Strategic Choices for Startup Pig Farmers

This article aims to help startup pig farmers understand the differences between these two production systems, so 
they can make informed and practical business decisions. The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages 
of buying weaners compared to keeping sows, the financial and management implications of each system, and the 
risks that farmers should consider before investing. It also outlines a practical growth pathway that one may follow 
when starting with weaners and gradually building a sow herd over time. 
By understanding both the short-term and long-term implications of each approach, startup farmers can choose a 
production system that matches their experience level, available capital, infrastructure, and business goals. 

Buying weaners as a quick start option: 

Buying weaners is often the easiest and most practical way for beginners to enter pig farming. Weaners are young 
pigs, usually between 6 and 10 weeks old, separated from the sow and ready to be grown to market weight. This 
system allows the farmer to focus mainly on feeding, health management, and growth performance without dealing 
with the technical challenges of breeding and farrowing. 

Picture 1: Weaners from 5 weeks of age 

One of the biggest advantages of buying weaners is the lower startup cost. A farmer does not have to invest in 
expensive breeding stock, farrowing pens, mating areas, or nursery facilities. Instead, the farmer can start with 
simple growing pens, feeders, drinkers, and basic housing. This makes pig farming more accessible to people 
with limited capital.

Another advantage is simpler management. Raising growing pigs is easier because the focus is mainly on 
feeding, maintaining good hygiene, and monitoring the growth and health of the pigs. The farmer does not have 
to worry about heat detection, mating management, farrowing complications, or caring for newborn piglets. This 
creates an opportunity to learn pig management gradually while reducing costly mistakes

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Picture 2: Growing pigs in a grower/finisher shed 

Buying weaners also allows for faster cash flow. Since the pigs are already several weeks old, they reach 
market weight sooner than pigs bred on the farm. This means that the farmer can sell pigs faster and recover 
startup capital within a shorter period. For self-funded farmers, quick turnover is extremely important because it 
helps sustain the business and generates working capital for future expansion. 

This system also provides the best way of learning about growing pigs. Farmers gain valuable experience in 
feeding, disease management, housing, and marketing while operating on a smaller and less risky scale. Many 
successful commercial pig farmers started this way before expanding into breeding operations. 

However, buying weaners also comes with challenges. Over time, the repeated purchase of weaners increases 
production costs, which can reduce profit margins compared to breeding piglets. Farmers also become 
dependent on outside suppliers for stock availability and quality. In some cases, poor quality weaners may have 
poor genetics, slow growth rates, or hidden health problems that affect the farm’s performance. 
Flow diagram from buying weaners to owning sows: 

Fig.1: Flow chart of starting from weaners to owning sows 

Once enough capital has been raised, it becomes important to invest in breeding infrastructures such as mating 
pens, farrowing units, and nursery facilities. This transition allows the farmer to gain more control over the 
quality and quantity of pigs produced on the farm. Producing piglets internally can significantly reduce costs per 
pig while creating opportunities for long-term expansion. However, farmers should only invest in sows once they 
have gained enough experience, secured a steady market, and built the necessary infrastructure to support 
breeding operations. 

Keeping your own sows is the long-term strategy: 

Keeping your own sows is more beneficial in a long-term approach to pig farming. A healthy sow can produce 
multiple litters every year, making it possible for the farmer to produce piglets continuously and expand the 
operation over time. This system provides greater control and higher long-term profitability, but it also requires 
more investment, labour, and management skills. 

One of the biggest advantages of keeping sows is the reduction in long-term production costs. Farmers no 
longer have to buy weaners because they produce their own piglets. This improves profit margins and allows for 
more predictable production planning. Farmers also gain better control over genetics by selecting strong, 
healthy breeding stock with good growth rates, feed conversion, and mothering abilities. 

Keeping sows creates room for expansion. As the sow herd grows, more piglets become available for finishing 
or even for sale to other farmers. Over time, the breeding herd becomes the foundation of a larger and more 
sustainable business. 

Picture 3: Farrowing pens in a newly built shed 

Despite these advantages, keeping sows has serious challenges. The initial investment costs are high because 
breeding systems require specialized infrastructure such as farrowing crates, creep areas, nursery pens, and 
additional feeding systems (Picture 3). Breeding stock itself is expensive, and feed costs increase significantly 
when maintaining pregnant and lactating sows. 

Picture 4: Sow pens in a gestation house 

Management is also far more complex. Farmers need good knowledge of heat detection, mating management, 
pregnancy care, farrowing assistance, piglet care, and disease control. Mistakes during breeding or farrowing 
can result in piglet deaths, infertility problems, or disease outbreaks. This is why many startup farmers struggle 
when they rush into breeding operations too early. 

Cash flow is also slower in a breeding system. A sow must first be mated, complete pregnancy, farrow piglets, 
and raise them before the pigs can eventually be sold. This entire process takes several months before income 
is generated, which can place pressure on farmers with limited startup capital. 

Comparison between the two: 

It makes financial sense for startup farmers to begin with weaners and slowly build a sow herd over time as they 
learn husbandry skills along the way. 

Table 1: Weaners vs Sows: Cost and Performance Overview  

Buying weaners allows startup farmers with limited resources to gain experience, strengthen cash flow, and 
reduce financial risk before taking on the complexity of breeding. 

Smart steps for startup farmers: 

Startup farmers should focus on growing gradually and sustainably. Beginning with a manageable number of 
pigs allows the farmer to learn without taking excessive financial risks. Careful record keeping is essential 
because feed, medicine, labour, and mortality costs directly affect profitability. 

Farmers should also plan when building infrastructure. Even if the operation starts with weaners, future 
expansion into breeding should be considered during farm planning. Constructing proper drainage systems, 
water supply, waste management systems, and pen layouts can make future growth easier and more cost
effective. 

Most importantly, profits should be reinvested into improving the business. Expanding slowly, improving 
housing, strengthening biosecurity, and investing in quality breeding stock are often better strategies than 
expanding too quickly without proper planning. 

Pig farming is a marathon, not a sprint. Long-term success comes through patience, discipline, proper 
management, and wise reinvestment. 

For more information regarding Strategic choices for Startup Pig Farmers, please contact your De Heus 
technical advisor - https://www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team