Newsletters

October, 2005

HIGH ENERGY SWINE FEEDS
FEED INTAKE

Feed energy is used synonymously with feed disappearance from feeders or storage bins. It includes feed that is eaten and feed that is wasted and probably overestimates actual feed consumed. A number of factors may alter feed consumption, resulting in greater or lesser amounts of feed consumed than expected. Pigs consume feed in meals. As pigs advance from weaning to slaughter weight, meal frequency decreases from about 12 meals per day. Factors that can affect feed consumption are listed below:

Energy Density

• Pigs typically eat until their energy requirement is satisfied.
• Adding fat to a diet reduces feed intake because energy density increases.
• Fibrous feeds dilute energy density. Energy dilution can be a particular concern for pigs under 80 pounds and for most lactating sows.

Temperature

• As environmental temperature increases from comfortable to moderately stressful, feed consumption decreases proportionally.
• Heat stress causes a reduction in feed consumption.
• Decreasing temperature tends to increase consumption. Cold stressed pigs may not grow well because they can't eat sufficient amounts of energy above their maintenance requirement.

Gender

• Probably not of practical importance until pigs weigh about 80 pounds.
• Barrows will consume more feed than gilts.

Genetics

• Genetic lines selected primarily for improved feed efficiency or leanness may be indirectly selected for low feed consumption.
• It is not possible to make general statements about differences in feed intake among genetic lines. Feed intake patterns should be determined from previous records.

Weaning

• Restricted consumption at weaning is common and the principal cause of post-weaning lag.
• Diets should be highly palatable at this stage.

Amino Acids

• Pigs fed diets that are not balanced for amino acids may exhibit reduced intake.
• The severity of reduced intake can depend on the amino acid involved.

Gestation Feeding

• Sows that are overfed during gestation exhibit reduced intake during lactation.
• The excess energy consumed during gestation is stored as fat and used during lactation, resulting in greater lactation weight loss.
• Sows that are too fat at farrowing may cause management difficulties and are more likely to crush their pigs.

Feed Acceptability

• Pigs may reduce intake or refuse to eat when the diet contains unpalatable or
• bjectionable ingredients.
• Certain odors, flavors and tastes may contribute to reduced feed intake.
• Small quantities of mold and/or mycotoxins contaminated feeds may dramatically reduce intake.
• Stale feed may be unacceptable to pigs. Fresh feed will encourage pigs to eat more.

Other Factors

• Crowding, limited feeder space and disease can often reduce intake.
• Altering nutrient density will not overcome reductions resulting from overcrowding.
• Feeder design may influence consumption but probably not play a greater role in managing feed wastage.

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
AND TESTS FOR FATS

Ref: 2003 Pocket Information Manual; A Buying Guide to Rendering Products; Pages 19-23.

DERBY CONTEST WINNER AT
FILLMORE COUNTY FAIR

Lakyn Lind, daughter of Doug and Becky Lind of Rushford, MN recently exhibited the Champion Derby Gilt at the Fillmore County Fair. The Duroc cross gilt weighed 78 pounds when she went on test in April, 2005 and weighed in at 329 pounds at the fair for an average daily gain of 2.32 pounds/day. That is 0.1 pounds more per day than the fastest gaining barrow in the contest. Actual scan figures for Lakyn's gilt were 0.58 inches of backfat, 8.23 sq. inches of loineye,54.20% fat free lean and 0.9537 pounds of fat free lean gain/day. Congratulations to Lakyn and the Linds for this outstanding Hormel fed Derby gilt.

BUSHEL WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES

 
For More Information
Contact:
Hormel Foods Corporation
Feed Division
1 Hormel Place
Austin, MN 55912
PH: 800-533-2228
Website: www.hormelfeeds.com