What does a notch on the right ear signify in the context of pigs?

A notch on the right ear of a pig is commonly used to denote the litter number, which is an important identification method in swine management. This practice helps farmers keep track of the lineage and breeding history of individual pigs within their operations. By notching the ear, producers can easily identify which litter a pig belongs to, facilitating better herd management, tracking of animal performance, and breeding records.

In contrast, other potential indicators like age, weight, or gender are typically marked by different methods or systems in swine production. Age is often tracked through birth records rather than physical markings, weight is monitored through scales, and gender is usually identifiable by anatomy, making the notch system primarily useful for litter identification.