Pork producers who have been operating in the red for some months may be grabbing at any idea that comes around to reduce their expenses or increase their revenue. Within the pork industry many different practices have been developed in recent years, some of which may provide additional margin, but others may not. So what experiments are worth trying in today’s pork economy?

Feed is certainly the largest expense in livestock production, and many aspects of pork production revolve around feed. Which of those aspects will have an impact to the point of being worthwhile, but not sacrifice animal performance. The proceedings of the Midwest Swine Nutrition Conference offer a number of feeding practices that were analyzed by Richard Coffey of the University of Kentucky. Knowing that it has become difficult for pork producers to remain profitable, Coffey says there may not be a “silver bullet” for everyone, but several options should be on the table for consideration.

1. While nutrient requirements are the basic minimums, nutrient allowances are considered the rations over and above the minimums. During times of high feed and mineral costs, examine the nutrient levels to ensure against excess that means paying too much for feed.
2. There is a considerable difference in lean gain potential between a fast growing animal with a high amino acid need and a slow growing fat pig. But it may be difficult to adjust without knowing the pig’s genetic capability.
3. Pigs with different genes can vary their feed intake 20% - 30%, influenced in part by temperature, energy density of the feed, its freshness, and the presence of mycotoxins.
4. Phase feeding will allow a producer to create a feed budget that may better accommodate the needs of the pig and the financial needs of the operation. This will allow differences among operations, animal genetics, facilities, and overall management to be addressed.
5. Split-sex feeding will allow gilts to demonstrate more efficiency in feeding, but so far less than 30% of producers utilize the practice.
6. As feed costs climb, more attention may be given to the removal of expensive nutrients for a period of time before slaughter. Vitamin pre-mixes and similar nutrients can be withdrawn in the final few weeks of feeding without affecting performance, but with a financial savings.
7. While smaller particles of feed are better absorbed in the pigs digestive system for greater feed efficiency, there is a higher cost of milling involved. Research has shown that particles should be 600-800 microns, and 3-8% of feed that was more coarsely ground would be wasted.
8. Pelleting feed improves performance, but does increase the cost of the diet, so that becomes an issue that needs on-farm consideration.
9. On-farm feed grinding and mixing can save money and ensure that diets are blended properly, but a slight mistake that throws off nutrient levels even by 5% can sacrifice as much as $5 per head in performance.
10. Alternative ingredients can provide a savings in ration costs; but is it suitable for swine, does it include any toxins, and does its inclusion actually save money?
11. An optimal market weight can become critical to profitability. Packers may want a heavier hog, but will feed costs justify the additional days on feed. The most profitable weight is that at which the cost of adding one more pound is equal to the revenue from that pound.
12. Wasted feed can have a negative impact on profitability, and that can be controlled from the delivery process to feeder design and feeder adjustment.

Summary:
High feed and fuel prices have pushed pork profitability into the red for most producers, but with the dozens of variables that can be adjusted in any given swine feeding operation, minute adjustments to many may provide a greater opportunity to reduce cost and increase revenue. However, each should be adjusted with the consideration that it will not affect performance of the hog.