Pig Growth & Days to Market Calculator
Days for a pig to reach market weight from current weight and average daily gain, feed required and feed cost from the feed conversion ratio, expected market date, carcass weight at dressing percentage and margin over feed and feeder cost.
How it works
Days = (target − current weight) ÷ ADG; feed = gain × FCR; feed cost = feed × price; carcass = live weight × dressing %; margin = live price × weight − feed − feeder cost
Once a weaned pig reaches 25–30 kg, growth is close to linear at 0.7–1.0 kg a day for modern genetics on a good diet (0.5–0.7 for heritage breeds or pasture), so the days to a chosen market weight follow directly from the gain still needed. Feed conversion in grow-finish runs about 2.5–3.0 kg of feed per kg of gain and worsens as pigs get heavier, which is why feed for the last 20 kg costs the most and why producers stop at 115–130 kg. Multiplying gain by FCR and price gives the single biggest cost; adding the feeder pig and comparing with the expected live price yields the margin over feed and feeder, the number most producers watch before committing a pen. Dressing percentage (72–76%) converts live weight to the carcass that buyers actually pay for.
Worked example
A 25 kg feeder growing 0.8 kg a day reaches 120 kg in 119 days (17 weeks), eating 257 kg of feed at 2.7 FCR — $92 at 36¢/kg. Sold at $1.55/kg live ($186), the margin over feed and a $65 feeder is about $29 a pig; the carcass weighs 89 kg at 74%.
Frequently asked questions
What ADG should I expect on pasture?
Typically 0.5–0.7 kg/day with supplemental grain, and FCR of 3.5–4.5; days to market are correspondingly longer.
Does FCR change with weight?
Yes — about 2.0 at 30–50 kg rising to 3.5 or more above 110 kg. Use a whole-period average for planning and phase-feed to control it.
Related calculators
Farm planning estimate. Breeds, climate, feed quality and local extension guidance change the numbers — use this to plan, and your own records to manage.