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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
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Feeding lower energy diets to hogs
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on August 4, 2016
Authors: Miranda Smit, Jose Landero, Malachy Young, and Eduardo Beltranena
Reference: Western Hog Journal Spring 2015
Feed represents the most expensive input in swine production. However, there is little data concerning the responses of hogs to different energy densities. This trial examines the effects of feeding lower than conventional net energy (NE) level diets.
30 kg hogs were fed diets that contained either 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, or 2.1 Mcal NE/kg. Pig body weight and feed disappearance were measured until the hogs were shipped.
Average daily gain was not affected by energy level, and average daily feed intake was higher for those diets containing less energy. The total calories consumer per pig remained the same. Dressing weight was not affected by feed energy level. Feeding a lower energy level diet saved approximately $10 per pig, but also caused the pigs to reach market weight a few days late.
Hogs can successfully be fed diets containing reduced energy levels, so long as they are able to eat more feed.