INTRODUCTION The Importance of Litter Size Seventy-five per cent of all production costs is re- presented by feed. The remaining 25%o of produc- tion cost is largely determined by management skills. The most important single factor determining profit is litter size. ESTIMATED COST OF PIGS AS INFLUENCED BY LITTER SIZE 2Cost Per Pig 3Cost Per Pig NO. Pigs Per Farrowed When Weaned When Litter Sow's Feed Cost: Sow's Feed Cost: .04/lb. .03/lb. .04/lb. .03/lb. 2 $18.75 $15.60 $30.13 $24.79 4 9.38 7.80 16.44 13.77 6 6.25 5.20 11.88 10.10 8 4.69 3.90 9.60 8.26 10 3.75 3.12 8.23 7.16 12 3.13 2.60 7.31 6.42 1.-Sow feed figured as constant regardless of litter size. 2.-Includes feed, equipment, veterinary cost, boar charge and overhead. 3.-Includes all of (1 and 2) plus creep feed, equipment charge, veterin- ary charge, and other overhead charges for suckling pigs. Esti- mated at $2.75 per pig from farrowing to weaning. ESTIMATED COST OF PIGS AS INFLUENCED BY LITTER SIZE Cost Per Litter NO. Pigs Per Weaned When Litter Sow's Feed Cost: .04/lb. .03/lb. 2 $60.26 $49.58 4 65.76 55.08 6 71.28 60.60 8 76.80 66.08 10 82.30 71.60 12 87.72 77.04