Reducing the excretion of phosphorus from growing and finishing pig systems: development of a Decision Support Tool
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Research partners: Newcastle University
Sponsors: BPEX
Duration: October 2010 – September 2013
After energy and protein, phosphorus (P) is the next most expensive nutrient in many pig feeds. A deficiency in P results in skeletal defects and may reduce lean tissue growth rate. At the same time, an excess of P in pig diets can contribute to environmental pollution. Given these environmental concerns, and the increasing price and decreasing availability of P sources, the amount of P supplied in pig diets is being re-evaluated in many European countries.
The overall objective of this project is to extend a current model of pig growth in order to be able to predict nutrient excretion, namely Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P), in the environment under different environmental and feeding scenarios, in growing and finishing pig systems. The aim is to be able to formulate pig diets that maximise N and P utilisation whilst minimizing N and P excretion to the environment.
A review of the scientific literature is currently being carried out covering P gastrointestinal digestion, utilisation and absorption, as well as reconstructing the pig growth model that would predict performance, under different environmental and dietary conditions for an average pig.
Page last updated
08-Apr-2011