Raising Pigs for PROFIT! Can you really earn $1K per pig, or $60k a year, even $188k a year?!..

No flashy editing, no special camera angles, no amazing soundtracks, no "fair-weather" or very best case scenario accounting will be found here!

However, in this video, I break down the various YouTube claims about pig profit and see just what it would take. With a lot of these claims, there are many costs being overlooked, expenses ignored, or not mentioned, or USDA farm grant subsidies received, which in that case the numbers can eventually "work out".
I want to offer you simple, realistic numbers and perspective when making decisions on raising livestock, specifically with hogs, and as with the raising of any farm animal you must do so with both eyes wide open, otherwise the animals suffer and you can really be left holding the debt bag and a lot of frustration!

All that said, please keep in mind there are niche markets or rare hog breeds that make really good money. Additionally, some of these folks are very business and money savvy and have a real get up and get after it attitude. Couple that with multiple revenue streams via programs, publications, subscription services, etc. to offset losses or initial start-up costs of raising hogs. Therefore the more realistic numbers from traditional, heritage hog breeds under realistic market prices and scenarios may or may not surprise you.

As always please leave any questions or comments in the comment section below. I hope this and other videos from the High Deseret Ranch are helpful in your homesteading and animal husbandry journey.

Thanks for watching and for your time!

#pigsforprofit #raisingpigs #pasturedpigs #homesteading #pigsforbegginers #hogsforbegginers #pigs101 #raisinghogs #hogeconomics #homesteadingthehardway #pigeconomics #confinementpigs #hogeconomics

[HomesteadingtheHardWay]

These numbers are fairly spot on . I farrow 120 to 150 pigs a year and feed out 30 . I sell dressed pigs for 5.00 a lb processing is 1.15 - 2.00 a lb feed / health 1.00 a lb housing and repair .10 fuel and time aren't figured. I have a good customer base and a waiting list for pigs that took years to build and one thing I'll say is finding a market for more experience pork is way more difficult than people think just cause you raise them doesn't mean you'll sell them

[HWPasturesLLC]

I just came across this video, so I know my comment is super late. That said, I’m very happy I came across it. Thank you for putting out a realistic numbers video because this is what most people need to understand going in. There are people that can command those amazing prices, but they spent years, or even generations, developing their market and obtaining a loyal following who will pay almost anything for their product (mostly because they give them something to believe in, so the product is purchased not on face value, but in support of an ideal). Before you begin, go to your local farmers markets to see the prices people are actually getting. Ask them how much volume they move and how much room is left in the market. DON’T UNDERCUT! That is a losing game. Go to your local grain mill and get prices on feed that meets your standard. Talk to your local vet. Assess your infrastructure and develop a process for management of feed, animals, and waste. Then, if the numbers make sense, go for it. Just my 2-cents based on my experience.

[SowKingRanch]

The math may not add up but id put pasture raised pork against confinement pork any day. Flavor and tenderness.

[roseblood]

Awesome video. Would love a copy of the spreadsheet

[mmvmrdo]

Thank you, and might I say friend. I do appreciate the information.

[okgearheads]

Great video and spreadsheet! I need it and not smart enough to create..

[delawareteacher]

I turned my ad blocker off for your channel and hope you get some ad revenue for your wonderful help to us!

[SarahPerine]

Did you make your spreadsheet? It's fantastic! Thank you for this. You are right about the crazy videos that boast such huge profits. I guess if you have a farm where you cut and mill your own lumber for fences, have limitless laborers to help, make your own feed.... I'm just starting the last seven months and we just had our first piglets. It is a big investment to get started and you can't recoup your costs right away unless you're doing a much bigger scale than I'm attempting!

[phoenixfireclusterbomb]

I raised one single hog this year and Im poor as poor can be. One hog alone is a massive amount of money away from the budget of a family living paycheck to paycheck. It’s possible, restaurants or daily convenience store runs for lunch is completely off the table. Really no convenience service at all. Its all DIY from hear on out. Yes, your going to butcher that Hog yourself too. Given, the facilities were also already here so that wasn’t much extra besides repair and additional hog panels to house the Hog. She came to us free too so yeah, management of multiple heads of Hogs the upfront and active cost would be well outside my budget. I also have a son helping me with daily chores.

[kotinkarwak]

Emailed for copy. Thanks for the breakdown and pointing out the falsehood in some of the yt videos.

[robdye]

Interesting video. I'm using pigs to clear land, but also plan to sell off feeders from the sows. As I'm not butchering I guess numbers will be different but I'm keeping track.

[r.j.]

I’m not a farmer but many thanks for this video it shows the lack of integrity most people have.
It also shows the old saying "Take everything with a grain of salt" is evidently true. Do your own research first if you want to learn about farming ask a real farmer.

[bendustin]

The Salatins also don’t have to figure in labor expenses on their poultry production. The get it for free from disillusioned interns.

[joedecook]

Holy smokes. Locally here, most of our local pork growers sell at over $10.00/lb of pork.

[commanderpurple]

Will watch this tonight when I have more time. Did I hear you say that you are bringing the family ranch back out of a nearly defunct status by yourself? Can you do a video on the history of the ranch and another on you bringing the ranch into a more important active role?

[davidt]

Which regions of the US pay the most? It might be feasible to transport across state lines to a higher paying market if you have the right truck & trailer up to dot inspection standards, as long as mandatory interstate resting/grazing and fuel costs are worth the trip and the time, but it's probably unlikely for most folks. I reckon if you plan to buy something for resell, you should go to your market and find out what it'll sell for before buying.

[geraldsweeten]

Good vid. The video the guy did wasn’t priced out like the he sold the whole hog for food no butcher, known killing going on and his pigs were market weight 320-350lbs. That’s additional 100lbs of meat beyond your 144lbs

[steveufford]

would it be possible to get a copy of your spreadsheet? i have no idea how to create them

[shamikajackson]

Hi we are new raising pigs, the is our first full year and our first year sailing them. Can you send me your spreadsheet it looks like it would be so much help for us.

[jameseire]

My friend toss all of your numbers in the trash can. With the intended shortages we are and will experience, add from 50 to 100% profit margin. For instance, just the cost/profit on bacon alone has nearly doubled. The Govt. is going to put a heavier hand the scale, reference the experience of Amish farmer Amos Miller.