The largest cost in feeding hogs to market is feed cost. Reducing the cost of feed ($/ton) does not always reduce the feed cost ($/hundredweight hog sold). A good feed program and proper feed management will result in the best use of feed dollars.
Developing A Feed Program
Most farmers have a standard set of diets for their farms. They do not, however, have a feeding program. A good feeding program allows pigs to perform at their potential with a minimum of waste.
The first step in designing a feeding program is determining how much a pig will eat each day. Pigs require a set level of many nutrients each day, whether they eat 4 or 10 pounds. As feed intake decreases, the nutrient content of the diet must increase to meet the daily requirement. Temperature, housing, health status, and genetics all affect feed intake. Temperatures above 70 degrees F decrease intake, while temperatures below 65 degrees F increase intake. Housing can reduce the effect of temperature. However, poor designs and over-crowding in some operations further reduce intake. The first symptom of many swine diseases is anorexia or reduced appetite. Appetite can also be changed by selection. By monitoring feed intake for a pen or barn, diets can be adjusted to meet daily nutrient requirements.
The actual levels of nutrients in the diet depend on intake, the potential
for lean growth, and sex. To maintain lean growth, nutrient levels in the
diet must be increased during periods of reduced intake (Table 1, below),
resulting from changes in temperature, illness, or selection. A seasonal
feeding program is the simplest way to account for changes in intake. Table
2, below, shows estimates of feed intake at different daily mean temperatures
(average temperature for a 24-hour period). For most of Alabama, three diets
are needed for the growing-finishing period. From November to February,
the nutrient content can be slightly lower than normal (5 percent). For
the summer months (May through August), nutrient levels should be increased
to offset lower feed intake. Typical growing-finishing diets should be adequate
during the spring and fall. For best results, base your program on actual
temperatures for your farm, county, or area.
Nutrient |
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Temperature (degrees F) |
Intake (% of normal) |
55 |
105 |
65-70 |
100 |
85 |
85 |
95 |
75 |
Feeding an animal selected for daily lean gain is a recent problem (Table 3, below). Animals selected for lean gain appear to consume less feed and have higher daily nutrient requirements. A study at Auburn University compared a control line with no selection and a line selected for weight at a constant age. When 7 percent fat was added to a 16 percent protein diet, performance improved in both lines. Increasing the levels of all other nutrients resulted in little change in performance of the control line. In the select line, however, gain increased from 2.0 to 2.3 pounds per day, backfat decreased 0.1 inches, and loin eye area increased. Research at Purdue University and the University of Kentucky showed this point as well. When feeding pigs from lines selected for lean gain, daily nutrient intake must be increased for the pigs to reach their genetic potential. Depending on the lines, 3.5 to 7 percent fat and 0.75 to 0.95 percent lysine are required in the diet to reach this potential for pigs from 125 pounds to market.
Genetic Potential |
Metabolizable Energy Kcal/lb
|
Lysine, %
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| Average (a) |
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| Good (b) |
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| Superior (c) |
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From 75 pounds to market, gilts respond to a higher level of lysine than barrows. Barrows and gilts differ in performance and in carcass quality. According to a 1989 report, barrows grew 8 percent faster, consumed 13 percent more feed, but required 4 percent more feed per pound of gain than gilts. Gilts were 18 percent leaner, had 8 percent larger loin eyes, and had a higher percent muscle than barrows. Barrows and gilts also respond differently to increased dietary protein. Increasing protein above 13 to 14 percent did not affect performance, fat, or muscling in barrows. Gilts grew faster and were more efficient at higher levels of protein. Increasing protein above 13 percent decreased backfat and increased loin eye area and percent muscle. In an average group of pigs, 0.65 percent lysine is adequate for barrows. Carcass quality and performance of gilts will be increased with 0.80 percent lysine. Split-sex feeding is difficult for some farmers. As more packers go to a value-based buying program, the premiums will often offset the problems with split-sex feeding.
Feed Management
Feed management is commonly the weakest link in feeding programs for growing-finishing pigs. Good feed management is also the quickest way to lower feed costs. Routine feed and ingredient analysis, proper feeder maintenance, and proper use of growth promotants are components of good feed management.
Laboratory analyses of feed ingredients and complete feeds reduce the incidence of nutritional problems. Diet formulations based on analyses allow compensation for poor-quality ingredients and increased use of high-quality feed ingredients. Routine analysis of feed is the cheapest way to check formulations and mixing techniques. Without analysis, the only check for feed quality is pig performance. Feed samples should be checked at least twice a year and preferably once each quarter.
Proper feeder maintenance is another way to reduce feed costs. On the average, 15 percent of the feed fed to growing-finishing hogs is wasted. Feed wastage has been as high as 30 percent on some farms. Reducing feed wastage is only a matter of keeping feeders repaired and adjusted. Feeders should also be free of stale, spoiled, or moldy feed. Check feeder troughs daily to insure that fresh feed is available. A buildup of spoiled or moldy feed will reduce feed intake. There is also the risk of aflatoxin or other mycotoxins building up in the trough. Provide adequate feeder spaces to insure optimum feed intake. One feeder space is adequate for three 30- to 50-pound pigs and four 50- to 220-pound pigs.
Additional information concerning the nutrient requirements of growing-finishing swine can be found in Circular ANR-639, "Swine Diet Recommendations For Alabama."
ANR-672 FEEDING AND MANAGING GROWING-FINISHING HOGS