November 7, 2006

Feed efficiency piques interest of US hog farmers as grain prices rise
 

High grain prices currently would stretch the boundaries of feed efficiency to its limits.

Feed efficiency has been rising in recent years thanks to improved technology, feeding systems and better genetics.

By some estimates, feed efficiency has improved on average about 1 percent a year over the past 15 years, according to a report from Cattlenetwork.

While corn fed to hogs remained the same over that period, net weights of pigs have increased, with the end result an increase in feed efficiency.

As corn prices reach new highs, hog farmers would need to pay more attention to the issue, experts said.

Hogs eat more and put on weight faster during autumn when the weather is cool and the corn crop is fresh. Efficiency slumps in summer when the hogs eat less but do not gain weight as fast.

David Stender, swine extension specialist with Iowa State University, suggests producers can add fat to the ration to boost feed efficiency.

For every 1 pecent of added fat in the ration, feed efficiency would rise by about 2 percent, he said, with the upper limit being 5 percent.

Scientists have also suggested that Distillers' Dried Grains (DDGs), an ethanol by-product, can be included in the diet of commercial and finishing pigs at 10 percent to 15 percent without affecting performance."

Come January, Iowa State University would release an update on hog feeder efficiency, its first in five years.