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Author: Casey Neil, Chief Nutritionist, Pipestone Nutrition
The goal of most pig farmers is to make money by raising pigs. With the current raw material prices, we have received many questions about how to reduce feed costs, which is a very good question. However, many producers are concerned about the cost per ton of feed and are immediately concerned about nursery rations. The most expensive feed cost per ton is always the first few pairs of nursery rations, although the feed budget for the nursery stage only accounts for about 3% of the total feed budget. Although it is easy to reduce the feed budget or skip the first and second stages, I will proceed with caution for several reasons.
Nursery nutrition: mortality, elimination rate, treatment and backwardness
According to our research, experiment and final data, we have confirmed that nursery feed formula and feed budget are important areas for reducing nursery mortality and backwardness. The first few weeks after weaning will affect the overall performance of the group. When using cheaper feed formulations, we can record higher shedding rates in these groups. Weaned piglets do not respond well to the rapid transition from liquid sow milk to dry feed and less complex ingredient selection. As a result, more pigs will consume less feed, become thinner, and grow poorly. Soon that pig will become a backward pig. Many lagging pigs may not become full-value fattening pigs. This may evolve into intestinal problems, which can lead to secondary problems, and pigs will soon need antibiotic treatment.
As the industry vigorously promotes reducing the use of antibiotics, conservation nutrition is a tool to promote pig health and requires fewer treatments. To demonstrate the importance of the first week after weaning, we have a form from Tokach et al. In 1992, it was shown how the first 7 days after weaning affect the pig’s lifelong performance. In this study, Tokach compared pigs that grew well in the first 7 days after weaning with pigs in the same group that did not grow well in the first 7 days. As you can see, when pigs start well, by having good ADG, they will grow well throughout the round, and they will have a higher body weight compared to the group of pigs with poor ADG in the first week.
The following is a research trial conducted at the Pipestone Research barn, which evaluated different nursery diet formulation options to reduce costs. Treatment A is the current Pipestone Nutrition formula. Not only is it the fastest ADG, but it also has the least number of removals. When we conduct research, we will focus on growth performance, economics, and mortality. One way to reduce feed costs is to sell more pigs as full-value pigs, and nursery formulas play an important role in this area.
With a proper nursery formula, we see fewer pigs that are backward and need antibiotic treatment.
Finishing pig nutrition: reduce bad habits and increase the overall value of pigs
Fattening diet formulas also play an important role in reducing the use of antibiotics by preventing bad habits such as tail biting, ear necrosis, and side bites. When a bad habit occurs, the pig needs to be treated to fully recover. An experiment conducted in Canada looked at different energy levels and responses to vices. The table on the right shows the removal rate of bad habits by dietary energy level. When the energy is too low, the amount of removal increases.
In another PIPESTONE trial, we saw similar results when assessing energy levels. When pigs are fed a low-energy diet, we report an increase in vices and therefore need to increase treatment.
A case study from a manufacturer dealing with abuse in northwestern Iowa showed that when they switched to a Pipestone Nutrition formula with increased energy and amino acid levels, we were able to slow tail biting and reduce mortality.
Enzymes are another tool that we can use to reduce the mortality of trimmers. An experiment conducted by Rush et al. In 2014, the effect of xylanase levels on fattening pig mortality was demonstrated. A field trial conducted by Pipestone Nutrition proved similar results and lower mortality, and xylanase is now used in all Pipestone Nutrition fattening pig diets.
In order to reduce the use of antibiotics, the following points need to be considered in terms of nutrition:
Nursery nutrition: Don't be cheap. Having the proper formula will reduce the number of lagging behind and the need for treatment. In addition, the choice of ingredients will help to get off to a good start in the first 7 days after weaning, which will help their overall performance.
Refined nutrition: the right energy and enzymes. Both the research barn and the field experience have shown that proper formulation has a significant impact on vice behavior. In return, fewer pigs need to be processed and more full-price pigs will enter the market. Enzymes also help reduce the mortality of finishing agents and are very economical to use.
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