The 100-Pig Challenge: A Farming Simulator Experiment

Abstract

This article documents my journey in Farming Simulator 25 to achieve a self-imposed challenge: build the largest pig pen available in the game, stock it with 100 pigs, and feed them exclusively with crops I harvested myself. The challenge spanned 57.56 hours of gameplay over 12 in-game years, and it served as an exploration of farming economics, game mechanics, and the strategic planning required to succeed.

Introduction

After years of playing Farming Simulator, I found myself yearning for a fresh and achievable goal. Owning every property on the map felt overwhelming, and simpler objectives lacked depth. Instead, I set my sights on something manageable yet engaging: raising pigs on a large scale without cutting corners, such as buying feed.

This article outlines my process, decisions, and the insights gained along the way.

Methodology

Starting Conditions

I began the challenge with:

• $1,000,000 in-game currency
• A pre-built starter farm with a house, chicken coop, small barn, and two planted fields (wheat and canola).
• Difficulty settings:
  • Medium economy
  • Low fuel consumption
  • Realistic time (1 day = 1 month)
  • Crop destruction, weeds, lime, plowing, and stones enabled.

Tools and Equipment

My initial equipment included:

• Two small tractors
• A basic combine harvester
• A grain silo

I also enabled a mod to reduce machine wear, though its efficacy was unclear. Other than this, I avoided gameplay-altering mods, resulting in a mostly vanilla experience.

Self-Imposed Rules

1. No purchased pig feed: All feed crops (corn, wheat, barley, canola, etc.) had to be grown and harvested manually.
2. Efficient spending: Focus on leveraging discounts from the in-game store to build a cost-effective farm.

Progress and Results

Early Years: Establishing a Foundation

In the first few in-game years, my primary objective was to generate a steady income while acquiring the tools necessary for large-scale pig farming. Key milestones included:

• Fieldwork: Starting with canola and wheat, I gradually expanded to sugar beets and corn. Sugar beets proved especially lucrative, with profits nearly double those of grains.
• Equipment Purchases: I relied heavily on the discounted tools section of the shop, acquiring everything from tractors to harvesters at steep discounts. Despite initial inefficiencies, this strategy paid off over time.
• Logging Contracts: When funds ran low, I turned to logging contracts, leveraging the improved physics of FS25 for efficient wood transport.

Midgame: Transition to Pig Farming

By year 9, I had acquired the largest pig enclosure and an additional field for growing feed crops. With all required equipment in place, I stocked the pen with 100 pigs and began producing feed. Notable achievements during this phase included:

• Balancing crop rotation to meet the nutritional needs of pigs.
• Overcoming logistical challenges, such as managing the high costs of sugar beet harvesters and foliage removers.

Challenges and Observations

1. Equipment Costs: Leasing proved essential in the early years, particularly for specialized tools like sugar beet harvesters.
2. Game Mechanics: Stones, weeds, and crop destruction were manageable with proper planning but added complexity. For example, rolling fields to suppress stones eliminated the need for stone pickers.
3. Economic Trade-offs: While sugar beets generated significant income, the high upfront costs and manual labor made it a demanding crop.

Endgame: Sustaining the Pig Farm

By year 12, my farm was fully operational, and I was consistently cycling pigs through a six-month growth period. Some insights:

• Pig Reproduction: Each pig reproduces once per cycle, effectively doubling the population. I managed this by selling older pigs while retaining enough young pigs to maintain the herd.
• Feed Consumption: Accurate tracking of feed requirements became crucial as the herd grew. Initial calculations indicated manageable costs, but further testing is needed for precise numbers.

Discussion

While the pig farm was successful, it raised questions about efficiency compared to other farming methods. For instance:

• Profitability: Sugar beets alone provided steady income with fewer logistical challenges. Was the pig farm worth the additional effort?
• Game Balance: Farming Simulator 25 introduces improvements like realistic mud but remains similar to FS22 with mods. This raises concerns about replayability and long-term engagement.

Conclusion

The 100-pig challenge proved both rewarding and insightful. It highlighted the strategic depth of Farming Simulator while emphasizing the importance of planning and adaptability. Moving forward, I plan to refine my pig farming approach and explore its profitability over a longer period.

For those seeking a challenging yet manageable goal in FS25, I highly recommend this experiment. It offers a unique perspective on the game’s mechanics and an opportunity to master the art of efficient farming.