These one-day courses form the core of PPT classroom-based technical training and have been well proven over a period of more than 10 years. Designed for experienced stockpersons and department supervisors, they use a participative training style to ensure full trainee involvement. This not only enhances peoples’ understanding of pig management techniques but also helps to increase motivation and commitment to change.

Trainees learn through being involved in a series of activities, exercises and discussion where they are able to draw upon their own experiences and those of the other course members and the tutor. A detailed course manual acts as a workbook during the course and provides information for future reference.

The PPT Pig Management Courses are as follows:

Maximum output can only be achieved through a regular farrowing pattern, which results in a constant supply of piglets to the nursery. This course deals with longer term aspects of management such as production planning, culling policy and herd age structure - all essential to consistently high productivity. The successful integration of the gilt is dealt with in detail and the course concludes with a section on boar introduction.


Achieving a high farrowing rate and litter size is dependent on effective service routines and the successful identification of pregnancy failures. Starting with some basic sow and boar anatomy and the oestrus cycle, this course deals with oestrus detection, mating behaviour, optimum service/AI routines and reducing lost days. It provides an essential review of pig reproduction and sow management for all those involved in this critical area.


An effective sow feeding programme will help to maximise conception rate and litter size, increase piglet survival and improve sow longevity. This course deals with feeding strategies and techniques for the gilt, sow and boar throughout their life, which achieve these aims. It focuses especially on the importance of lactation feeding and also looks at ways in which the effects of the feeding programme can be measured.


Losses of piglets that are stillborn or die before weaning constitute a major financial drain on the pig industry. This course first covers the incidence of and reasons for stillbirths and pre-weaning mortality. It then goes on to deal with a range of techniques that can be used to increase survival rate through monitoring the farrowing process, making improvements to the pigs’ environment, ensuring an adequate milk supply and minimising the incidence of health problems.


Often the weakest link on the production unit, what happens at the critical post-weaning stage influences performance and profit right through to market. This course examines the factors influencing pig performance after weaning and how the quality of weaned pigs can be improved. It then deals with the pig’s environmental needs and feeding strategies followed by a section on establishing effective nursery management routines.


Fast, efficient growth at the grow-finish stage is essential to minimise feed costs and make effective use of barn space. It is also important to maximise the value of the market pig by providing the best possible product to the processor. This course deals with the main factors that influence pig growth, feed efficiency and carcass quality and covers the pig's environmental requirements in detail. It looks at how to optimise carcass weight and grade depending on the processor contract and examines the factors that influence margin per pig sold.

Delivery of PPT Pig Management Courses

These courses can be delivered by PPT trainers or carried out in-house where company tutors have attended the 3½ day course Training Skills for Effective Course Delivery. Where company tutors deliver courses, PPT licences the use of the materials to the company and provides support and advice regarding implementation.

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