September 19, 2008

Pork producers' joint effort to maximize feed efficiencies in swine

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council has joined the Pork Checkoff's Nutritional Efficiency Consortium, a group of organizations dedicated to address the increasing cost of producing pork through research.

Having funded over US$1.1 million in research, priorities of the nutritional efficiency consortium included a review of alternative feed ingredients for swine rations such as DDGS, the estimation of net energy for feedstuffs and a study into the physiology of nutrient utilisation by pigs.

Mark Boggess, director of animal science for the Pork Checkoff, said that the consortium allows them to leverage checkoff monies with funds from their partners, and pools together the expertise of all of the different partner organizations. They set better priorities and make better decisions for the industry as a group.

Having partnered with soy producers for research and even marketing in the past, this is the first time they have the opportunity to work with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and they look forward to a successful, long-term relationship, commented Larry Kline, vice president of finance and business development for the Pork Checkoff.