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Trey Kellner, Ph.D., AMVC Nutrition Services | March 30, 2021

Starting in August 2020, the price of raw materials and the resulting feed has increased by 20-40%, increasing the cost of each weaned pig by 3-4 US dollars and increasing the cost of each market pig from weaning to harvesting by 20- 30 dollars. Therefore, pork producers have and will pay more attention to feed cost, efficiency, practice, agreement and use. Pork producers should take advantage of feed raw material price coverage opportunities, cooperate with feed mills to reduce the size and variation of corn milled micrometers, further understand the nutritional content of raw materials and feed value, and constantly review feed additives and drug plans. These projects are important for reducing the feed usage and cost of the entire pork production system and should be given priority. However, this article will focus on how to reduce feed usage and farm costs throughout the pork production system.

How to reduce the feed consumption and cost of the sow farm

The feed use and the corresponding cost of the sow farm can be ignored, but poorly managed feed use on the sow farm can easily cause the production system to lose millions of dollars each year. For example, based on current feed costs, overfeeding one pound of gestation feed per sow per day would cost a 2,500 sow farm US$7,500 per month, US$90,000 per year, or US$1.25 per weaned pig. Waste a pound of lactating feed per sow per day will cost the 2,500 sow farm an additional US$2,000 per month, US$24,000 per year, or 33 cents per weaned pig. It's easy to sum up

There are two ways for sow farms to use feed and corresponding feed costs increase: overfeeding or feed falling into the pit. To avoid overfeeding, a clear, easy-to-follow, repeatable and measurable feed use protocol should be established. It is important to set an expectation of how much feed should be allocated for each sow and gilt, and verify that this allocation is provided for each feed.

The sow caliper developed by Dr. Mark Knauer is a key tool to determine what feed the sow or gilt should consume to maximize performance and optimize feed use. By using a caliper on the last rib of a sow before weaning, you can not only determine the physical condition of your herd, but also set the proper feed distribution for each sow. After weaning, you can group sows according to their body condition scores-lean, ideal and heavy. From weaning to estrus, the data collection shows that six pounds of feed is sufficient to maximize the overall birth rate and delivery rate. In addition, compared with ad libitum provision of feed, restricted feeding limits feed waste and reduces overfeeding. This is especially true if the weaned sow does not breed within the first 7 days after weaning but stays in the breeding area. Then, according to the caliper score before weaning, a certain amount of feed is given to the sows after breeding.

Use the calipers again when the sow is undergoing pregnancy checks and readjust the feed distribution as needed. Regardless of the feeding system, sows will be fed according to their caliper score. This means that if the sows are kept in groups, they will be grouped with sows with similar conditions and fed the same amount.

Before delivery, pork producers can feed 2 pounds of lactation feed twice a day, from when they are loaded into the farrowing room until delivery occurs, thereby reducing feed usage, cost and stillbirth rate.

A period of never restricting the use of feed is from delivery to weaning. However, the feed waste in the farrowing room should be closely monitored, as the amount of feed per sow during the lactation period is four times that during the gestation period.

It is also important to have an agreement to ensure that the correct amount of feed is delivered. Compared with the expected number, the quarterly calibrated feed box and electronic feed system deliveries can significantly reduce the underfeeding and overfeeding of sows. In addition, if the feed density changes, it is also important to calibrate the feed bin and electronic feed system.

One protocol that is often overlooked in older barns is to provide water through a sink. Herders need to allow at least one hour between feed drop and water supply to ensure feed is consumed and to avoid the feed being washed up and down in the trough. In some cases, during the day, the water is released by an automatic timer, while the feed is dropped manually. Therefore, when the farm runs in the back, it is easy for the feed to fall, and then the water will automatically and quickly disperse behind it, flushing a part of the water into the pit. 

Another area where feed waste occurs on the sow farm is the housing of gilts or open sows in pens with standard fattening devices. These feeders are usually not adjusted or properly maintained. These feeders should be adjusted daily, just like they do in a finishing barn. 

It is important to maintain maintenance of the trash bin, motor, wire, drip, feeder and feeder adjustments to ensure that the feed stays away from the pit. Take a moment to pick up the flashlight and see if the feed ends up in the pit. The feed that finally enters the pit has been paid, but it will not bring returns to the pork producers.

How to reduce farm feed usage and cost from weaning to weaning

In the summer of 2020, feed accounts for 49% of production costs from weaning to harvest. By the summer of 2021, feed will account for 57% of the production cost from weaning to harvest, and each pig will increase by US$20-30 compared to last year. A one percent increase in feed efficiency (feed weight gain) from weaning to weaning per pig (that is, 2.50 to 2.49) is worth 37 cents. A one-tenth (2.50 to 2.40) increase in feed efficiency per pig from weaning to weaning is worth US$3.70. Therefore, growers and pig breeders have heard of adjusting feeders every day.

There are many types of feeder designs and adjustments. Unlike guiding standard feeder adjustments (i.e., 1 to 10) or feeder openings (i.e., one-quarter inch), pork production systems are more successful in guiding pan coverage. The more feed available for pigs in the pan, the greater the feed waste. However, if the feeder is adjusted too tightly and the plate coverage is zero (because the feeder opening is too small or the opening is blocked), the feed intake and the resulting growth will be affected. 

When input prices rise, it is logical that the pork production system will look for cuts to save costs. However, the mortality that occurs in the late fattening period affects feed efficiency and feed cost per pig. Why? Since fattening pigs weighed 250 pounds, 600 pounds have been consumed. Feed ($80 of feed), if not sold, provides zero revenue ($0 in revenue). Therefore, timely treatment, classification, and maintenance of an optimal vaccination and medication schedule are important to improve the use and cost of fattening feed.

Just like reducing the amount of feed used in the sow farm, timely maintenance is the key to reducing the accumulation of feed in the pit and improving feed efficiency and cost. Once again, the feeding system from the trash can to the consumer should be leak-free and not easy to overflow.

All in all, it is important to track, plan and benchmark feed usage and costs at all stages of production. Proper management of feed systems, feed distribution and feeder adjustments is the key to keeping the lowest possible cost in 2021.

Source: Trey Kellner of AMVC Nutritional Services, who are solely responsible for the information provided and fully own the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any content contained in this information asset.

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