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Nutrition and Feeding

Practical Advice » Producer Kt » Nutrition »

Feed represents the single largest cost element in pig production, accounting for more than 50% of the total cost of pig meat production in the UK. Any producer seeking to improve the competitive position of a pig enterprise should review feeding costs and how these could be reduced through more competitive purchase of either raw feed ingredients or complete diets, and improvements in the efficiency with which feed is converted to edible meat.

Feed is also the primary source of emissions to soils, water and air and as environmental legislations tightens to limit emissions, such as nitrate, ammonia and phosphorous, producers must continue to explore ways of improving nutrient capture for meat production and minimise the proportion that is excreted to the environment.

BPEX funded research has included a wide range of projects focused on the nutritional and feeding management of pigs to improve productivity and reduce costs. Results of these projects can be found on this website by clicking on the following links.

• Phase-feeding
  Matching the protein requirements of growing and finishing pigs for lean growth at least cost
• General guidelines on liquid feeding for pigs
  For more information download the publication.
• Finishing Pigs: Systems Research. Production Trial 4
  Reducing the protein content of liquid diets fed to pigs in two contrasting finishing systems (fully slatted versus straw based housing)
• Finishing Pigs: Systems Research. Production Trial 3
  Controlled fermentation of cereals in liquid diets fed to pigs in two contrasting finishing systems (fully slatted versus straw based housing)
• Finishing Pigs: Systems Research. Production Trial 2
  Evaluation of phase feeding in two contrasting finishing systems (fully slatted versus straw based housing)
• Finishing Pigs: Systems Research. Production Trial 1
  Dry versus liquid feeding in two contrasting finishing systems (fully slatted versus straw based housing)

Lupins in Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) Defra LINK Programme LK0950
The five-year project is the first comprehensive evaluation of the benefits and disbenefits of this crop for organic and conventional use in the UK. Comparisons with other grain legumes will analyse on-farm nutrient budgets, feed utilisation, emissions from animal wastes and agronomic factors. Molecular markers for key traits will be identified and brought together as a ‘breeder’s toolkit’ available for lupin improvement.

For more information click here