20 Pig Facts to Celebrate National Pig Day

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Posted by Karyn Moyer

Tags: Ag Fun and Facts

Pig Facts

National Pig Day is March 1st. What better way to celebrate than with 20 pig facts.
  1. The pork industry supports about 550,000 jobs.
  2. Commercial pork production can be traced back to the 1800’s.
  3. Pork accounts for 40% of all meat consumed around the world, which makes it the most consumed animal protein worldwide. China is the leader in pork consumption with 90 lbs. per person each year.
  4. Pigs contribute to many other by-products such as gelatin and their hair is used for high quality paint brushes.
  5. Pigs were the first animals to be domesticated. Learn more.
  6. Bacon is one of the oldest meats in the world.
  7. Over 2 billion pounds of bacon are produced each year in the U.S.
  8. Adult pigs can run up to 11 mph. That’s a 7-minute mile.
  9. A pig’s squeal can get up to 115 decibels. That’s only 3 decibels higher than a supersonic airliner.
  10. Pigs have 20 different vocalizations to communicate with each other.
  11. Pigs are naturally clean and organized. Learn more. 
  12. The average gestation length for most sows is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.
  13. The average litter size around the globe is 6 to 10. In the U.S., however, the average liter is 13 pigs.
  14. The largest litter ever recorded included 37 piglets. 36 were born alive and 33 survived.
  15. Human heart valves are commonly replaced by porcine heart valves.
  16. Pigs live n every continent expect Antarctica.
  17. Denmark has more pigs than people.
  18. Pigs have 15,000 taste buds, while humans only have 9,000.
  19. They can drink up to 14 gallons of water a day.
  20. Pigs need to eat 3 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound.

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Sources:
National Pork Producers Council
National Hog Farmer
The Pig Site
Click here to learn more about the most consumed animal worldwide!
Karyn Moyer

Karyn Moyer

Karyn Moyer is the Senior Marketing Manager at AgHires, with over 13 years of marketing experience, over 9 of which she has spent in the agriculture marketing industry. Growing up in a small farming town, Karyn has a deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture and its role in our communities. Since joining AgHires in 2017, Karyn has used her wealth of experience and knowledge to help job seekers and clients achieve their goals. She has a passion for learning and discovering new ways to support the industry.