Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
The silver bullet to mitigate rising feed costs
Feed comprises up to 75% of the costs of a pig operation. PIC explains how farmers can ensure their pigs consume the right amount of nutrients while reducing waste.
The more efficiently a pig converts grain into meat, the more profitable a production system becomes. Feed represents between 65% and 75% of the total cost of pig production. There are numerous ways to address diet costs throughout the pig production system.
Energy is the critical dietary constituent that supports maintenance, as well as tissue accretion, and is one of the main drivers of feed efficiency. A pig has specific nutrient requirements per day for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. The first thing producers generally do when feed prices are high is decrease feed costs. This means they reduce the amount of nutrients provided per unit of feed. Therefore, for the pig to meet its daily requirements, it will consume more feed, and this is often accompanied by lower production outputs. Ultimately then, decreasing diet costs can lead to increased cost of production due to higher feed intake. As such, producers should focus on production practices that optimise feed costs and efficiencies while maximising profitability.
The following will help a producer limit waste and thus improve cost efficiency: • Feeder maintenance: damaged feeders can result in feed wastage or inadequate feed provisions.
• Feeder space: inadequacy may result in poorer feed conversion.
• Water access: inadequate flow or availability can seriously impact performance or even cause death.
• Stocking density: optimal stocking densities can result in the greatest economic gain with the least negative impact on performance or animal behaviour.
• Health: identify diseases early to promote a quick response. Often, the first sign of the onset of disease is that pigs go off feed. • Temperature and ventilation: provide optimal room temperature for each stage of production. Pigs will consume more feed at lower temperatures.
• Genetics: select breeding stock that maximises performance for feed conversion while ensuring adequate performance for all other economically important traits. Review genetic programmes with consideration given to feed efficiency and lean gain.
ON-FARM MANAGEMENT
Sarah Chirwa, a technical adviser at PIC, provides the following tips to improve on-farm feed management:
• Know the feed intake of your pigs in each production stage.
• Calibrate feeders quarterly or when there is a change in feed suppliers. When making use of scoops, weigh the feed on a scale and don’t rely on the markings of the scoop. • Feed pigs as per production stage.
For example, provide sows in the farrowing house with a lactation ration. • Pan coverage: ensure that you don’t feed too much or too little.
• Clean the feeders before every dropping of feed to prevent rancidity. Email PIC at info@picrsa.co.za, or phone
013 244 7024. Visit picrsa.co.za.