While there are a lot of actions that can be taken empirically to influence FCR, such as reduction of wastage, to really control this area performance should be measured and monitored.

Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant of pig-breeding company ACMC advises that records are kept up-to-date so that negative trends can be detected early.

It is easy when checking records to look mainly at breeding herd performance but feeding herd efficiency is the key to financial survival, he says.