Phase feeding for growing and finishing pigs
Problem
Large variation between pigs in a litter or production batch makes it difficult to target their nutrient requirements for optimal growth. Diets are therefore formulated with higher lysine and protein contents than recommended, resulting in wastage of nutrients and unnecessarily high N-emissions.
Solution
A phase feeding plan, with two or more phases, will better reflect the actual need of protein and amino acids for pigs at different live weights (growth phases) as dietary content of crude protein and essential amino acids is decreasing with increasing age of the pigs.
Benefits
Phase feeding will more closely match the pig’s nutrient requirements and minimise the over- and under-feeding of nutrients. The feed will be better utilised by the pigs, in favour of both production economy and reduced N-emissions.
Applicability box
Geographical coverage
Global
Application time
All year round
Required time
Growing/finishing period
Period of impact
All year round
Equipment
Feed ration planning
Best in
Growing/finishing period
Practical Recommendations
- To get the maximum benefit from phase feeding, diets and feeding should be established based on actual animal performance and profitability/performance goals for each stage of production. It is easier to develop with a small number of pigs per batch (to manage heterogeneity)
- Diets should be formulated on a digestible amino acid basis rather than on a total amino acid or crude protein basis, crude protein should preferably be kept at a low level and ingredients should be analysed for their nutrient contents.
- A phase feeding system is complex and factors such as the availability of high-quality protein feed ingredients, the managing and ordering of feed as well as the need for additional feed bins on the farm must be considered.
- Consult with an advisor or nutritionist to adjust the feeding plan accordingly to meet the production goals.
Further information
Weblinks- Check the Organic Farm Knowledge platform for more practical recommendations on pigs as well as feeding and ration planning.
About this practice abstract and OK-Net EcoFeed
Publishers:Department of Animal Nutrition and Management,
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Phone ,
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www.slu.seResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL),
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Phone +41 62 865 72 72,
info.suisse@fibl.org,
www.fibl.orgIFOAM Organics Europe,
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Phone +32 2 280 12 23,
www.organicseurope.bio,
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Contact: magdalena.akerfeldt@slu.se
Permalink: https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/35451
https://orgprints.org/view/projects/OKNetEcoFeed.html
This practice abstract was elaborated in the Organic Knowledge Network on Monogastric Animal Feed project. The project is running from January 2018 to December 2020. The overall aim of OKNet EcoFeed is to help farmers, breeders and the organic feed processing industry in achieving the goal of 100% use of organic and regional feed for monogastrics.
Project website: https://ok-net-ecofeed.eu/
IFOAM Organics Europe (project coordinator), BE; Aarhus University (ICROFS), DK; Organic Research Centre (ORC), UK; Institut Technique de l'Agriculture Biologique (ITAB), FR; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH; Bioland, DE; Associazione Italiana perl'Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB), IT; Donau Soja DS, AT; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE; ECOVALIA, ES; Soil Association, UK.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773911. This communication only reflects the author’s view. The Research Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. The authors and editors do not assume responsibility or liability for any possible factual inaccuracies or damage resulting from the application of the recommendations in this practice abstract