This lecture offers a variety of methods for reducing cost of operation and increasing revenue.<\/p>\n
A feed budget: Provides a foundation of expected performance. Actual measures of
\nperformance can be measured and compared with the expectations. If there is a shortfall in performance, corrective action can be taken.<\/p>\n
Seasonal diets: When seasons change, nutrient specifics should be reexamined, as hot\u00a0weather diets are typically quite different from cold weather diets.<\/p>\n
Split-sex feeding: Is not frequently practiced due to the practical\u00a0challenge of delivering different diets. The savings are worth the effort. Barrows grow 8-10%\u00a0faster than gilts. Gilts require diets 7-10% higher amino acid levels over barrows. Previous\u00a0research at PSC shows that split sex and phase feeding combined increases net income by\u00a0about $4.50 per pig.<\/p>\n
Reformulating diets during volatile times in the market: Much of the benefit of phase feeding will be lost however if diets are not regularly reformulated\u00a0to reflect current ingredient markets.<\/p>\n
Hitting the core:\u00a0A simple method developed at the Centre involves weighing all pigs at the first shipping day. All\u00a0pigs in the correct weight are shipped that day, but by knowing the typical ADG, you can project\u00a0forward one week and mark those pigs with a distinct colour that will be ready next week, and\u00a0different from the colour markings on the pigs to be shipped this week. There are herds that\u00a0have improved their ability to market only 70% in the core and increase this to 90%+ using this\u00a0method.<\/p>\n
Wet\/dry feeders: Address the water wastage concern by incorporating a nipple drinker in the\u00a0feed bowl as the only source of water, reducing water use by 30%, and slurry volume by 20-40%.<\/p>\n