Development of a Swine Production Cost Calculation Model

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Swine production is a for-profit activity; however, most farms have deficient internal controls and empirical management and do not even know the cost of the market hog produced. Knowing the production cost of what will be commercialized is crucial for any process that involves business management, and in pig production, it is no different. However, the lack of a standard method and simple and easily accessible tools make it difficult for producers to organize the economic management of their businesses. In this sense, the present work aimed to develop a free and easy-to-use tool that calculates swine production costs and serves as a management tool in commercial properties. ABSTRACT: This paper aims to present a tool that offers pig producers a standard method to calculate and control their production costs and, consequently, provides the necessary information to guide strategic decision-making. Following these premises, a mathematical model to estimate swine production costs were developed using Microsoft Excel(®) software (version 2207). Case studies were used to assist in the characterization and construction of the model. Through the panel method, the tool was validated by professionals in the sector. Costs were considered according to the Neoclassical Economic Theory of Costs and allocated in the order of variable costs, fixed operating costs, and opportunity costs of capital and land. These costs together create the total cost. The model provides the total cost per batch, per market pig, per arroba, and per kilogram, which facilitates the interpretation of the results and economic evaluations of the system. The model is adaptable to different types of swine farming, as well as the consideration of all costs involved in the production system, whether explicit or implicit. The model developed has the potential to be used as a management tool in commercial swine production systems, assisting the producer in the decision-making process through the management and control of production costs.