Ken Engele

In the past couple of years, we have seen feed costs rise to historically high levels. Costs may retreat somewhat but it is highly unlikely in the short term that we will see feed costs dip to levels experienced in 2004 and 2005.

There has always been emphasis on feed efficiency in production systems, however, the discussion comes to the forefront when feed costs rise and show no real signs of a significant retreat.

Since feed costs represent the largest portion of cost of production, it also represents the greatest opportunity for reducing costs in particular the grower-finisher barn. Feed efficiency can have the single biggest impact on feed cost per pig. With the higher feed costs, there has been a greater push towards managing feed efficiency within operations. At current feed costs, an improvement in feed efficiency of 0.1kg of feed per kg of gain will result in a greater than C$2.00 net income per pig marketed.

There are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account when examining feed efficiency in pork production: environmental (temperature, humidity, air circulation), social (space allocation, group size, re-grouping), immunological (disease, pathogen concentration) and management (particle size, feeder adjustment).

Factors Impacting Feed Efficiency

• Genetics: Are you feeding according to the maximum lean yield potential of your herd?
  
  
• Feed processing: Understanding the impact of pelleting and size of grind. Industry standard for particle size is 600 to 800 microns. Kansas State University demonstrated a 1.2 per cent improvement in feed efficiency for every 100–micron reduction in particle size relative to the optimal range. Pigs fed pelleted diets versus mash have three to six per cent better feed efficiency.
  
  
• Management: Ensure feeders are checked daily and feeders are adjusted for 40 per cent pan coverage to maximise feed efficiency, by maximising performance and minimising feed wastage. In addition, a three per cent reduction in pen space translates to a one per cent reduction in feed intake and growth rate.
  
  
• Dietary energy level: Use of alternative feed ingredients typically provides a lower energy density within the diet, thereby increasing the amount of feed required per pig. Pigs will typically compensate for the lower energy diets by increasing their consumption, subsequently having a significant impact on feed efficiency. Poorer feed efficiency may be offset by cheaper diet cost. It is very important to monitor this relationship.
  
  
• Environmental temperature: Ensure pigs are kept within their thermal comfort zone. Cold temperatures increase feed intake while hot temperatures reduce feed intake.
  
  
• Disease challenge: Healthy pigs grow faster. Pigs are able to utilise nutrients for growth rather than fight disease. Disease challenges can also increase mortality, when occurring in the finishing herd can have significant impact on whole herd efficiency.
  
  
• Breeding herd productivity: On average, a sow will consume approximately one tonne of feed per year. The greater number of pigs produced per sow will improve whole herd feed efficiency.
  
  
• Market weight: Feed efficiency worsens as pigs get heavier. Ensure pigs are marketed at their optimal weight to minimise feed cost per kg gain, maximizing profit potential.

While this is not an inclusive list of factors that influence feed efficiency, it gives us the perspective of the multi-disciplinary approach that is required to achieve its full potential. One of the ways in which Prairie Swine Centre is delivering this message is through a series of webinars specifically dedicated to a ‘Focus on Feed Efficiency’.

This series of eight Feed Efficiency webinars are being delivered in partnership with the Farm Leadership Council starting on 5 March and concluding on 19 June. Webinars will run on two–week intervals by well-known experts in the area of feed efficiency discussing a wide range of topics including: feeding and barn management, whole herd factors, feed processing, new technologies and health impact on feed efficiency.