Nutritional and practical strategies to reduce on-farm feed costs
As a result of the increasing price of maize and soya beans, and the limited availability of other grains, such as barley and wheat, the total cost of feed has been on an increasing trend. Feed costs make up 70% of the running costs of a piggery operation, which is why strategies to decrease on-farm feed costs are more important now than ever before.
Decreasing the total nutrients in the feed or restricting the feed intake of pigs is not a solution when trying to maintain growth performance and income from the operation. In this article, we discuss several strategies to consider when minimising on-farm feed costs without impacting the feed efficiency of pigs.
Reducing feed wastage
Ensure feeders are in good working condition to prevent feed wastage. Feeders should be frequently recalibrated and cleaned to ensure the correct quantity of feed is consistently provided to the pigs and to prevent feed from spoiling. Research shows that pelleted feed, when compared to a meal, not only reduces feed wastage but also promotes feed intake.
The digestibility of the diet
The digestibility of the feed is essential when it comes to ensuring pigs fully utilise the nutrients that the feed has to offer. The type and quality of raw materials are key aspects to consider when producing animal feed products. Ensuring that the correct high-quality raw materials are used can improve the digestibility of the feed and improve animal performance.
Protein is one of the most expensive nutrients in the diet and contributes heavily to the total cost of feed. When done correctly, reducing the total protein content of the diet whilst ensuring the correct level and ratio of amino acids can improve the digestibility of the diet and maintain animal performance at a lower feed cost.
Consider raw material availability and cost
Certain substitutions of expensive raw materials for more affordable options can successfully be achieved where expert knowledge and qualitative protocols are used. Although maize is the most widely used energy source for pigs in South Africa, grains such as barley and wheat can be considered good alternatives to reduce the maize inclusion, when they are available and more affordable.
A consistent and accurate evaluation of the raw materials in the feed will allow for more accurate feed formulations and superior animal performance.
Including enzymes in the feed
Enzymes are protein compounds that increase the nutrient absorption of the feed by breaking down certain components in the feed that animals may otherwise have problems digesting. Enzymes allow for improved diet digestibility and, when used correctly, can be a cost-effective solution. Examples of enzymes commonly used include carbohydrates, proteases, and phytases.
A more accurate feeding approach
Phase feeding is the changing of an animal’s diet according to its age, weight, or physiological state. It is designed to assist a farmer in achieving the most out of their feed, in the most cost-effective way. Introducing an additional phase when feeding pigs, a phase that is more accurate to the age or production level of the pig, can result in a cost-saving through improved feed efficiency. The practicality of feeding a higher number of phases should be considered when comparing this to the benefits of a more accurate feeding schedule.
Consider the in-feed medication costs
Medication costs can be extremely expensive, which is why it is important to regularly consult with your veterinarian to ensure that the farm is on the correct medication program. Discuss with your veterinarian which medications are necessary depending on the health status of the farm and whether in-feed medications, in-water, or injectables will be the best solution.
Split-sex feeding
At the same age, growing pigs will have different growth rates and nutrient requirements according to their sex. Separating the grower herd into boars and gilts in order to feed specialised diets according to their sex will allow for a more efficient feeding and management programme.
Concluding remarks
There are many solutions to reducing on-farm feed costs. Finding the ones that work for your farm both practically and effectively will be the most successful. Not every farm is the same, so a copy-and-paste approach may not be the right way to go about it.
(Meadow Feeds)
