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.
Description
Benefits
Phase feeding will more closely match the pig’s nutrient requirements and minimise the over- and underfeeding of nutrients. The feed will be better utilised by the pigs, in favour of both production economy and reduced N-emissions.
Practical recommendation
• 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.
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