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Better Pork
December 2016
NUTRITION
P
hase feeding is considered
standard operating procedure
in most grower-finisher op-
erations. Traditional phase feeding
programs use least-cost formulations
designed to meet the nutritional
requirements of either the average
or best-performing pig in a given
population. These programs result,
however, in over- and under-feeding
of pigs within the same group.
In an ideal world, all pigs within a
growing phase would have the same
nutrient requirements. The reality is
that pigs’ requirements change over
time, follow individual patterns, and
can even vary greatly between indi-
viduals in a group.
When this variability is ignored,
conventional phase feeding programs
lead to inaccurate nutrient levels,
usually oversupplying the majority
of the pigs with more nutrients than
required. Ultimately, this approach
results in high feeding costs and
excessive nutrient excretion to the
environment.
Precision feeding provides a mod-
ern alternative to phase feeding by
taking into account the between-pig
variation. Precision feeding allows
pigs to be individually fed with diets
that are adjusted in real-time, accord-
ing to the pigs’ own patterns of feed
intake and growth, tailoring diets to
their specific nutrient requirements.
When considering the implemen-
tation of a precision feeding program,
producers and nutritionists must
work together to gather key informa-
tion. It is important to establish the
nutrient profile of each feed ingredi-
ent, as well as the pigs’ specific nutri-
ent requirements. Premixes need to
be formulated precisely in order to
avoid wasting excess nutrients. Once
these parameters are in place, the
dietary nutrient concentration can be
simultaneously adjusted to match the
requirements of each pig in the herd.
Previous research from Agricul-
ture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
clearly indicates that precision feed-
ing is an effective strategy to improve
nutrient utilization, while reducing
feed cost and nutrient excretion,
without jeopardizing performance.
In grower-finisher pigs fed rations
where daily adjustments were made,
lysine and nitrogen intake decreased
by 25 per cent, while excretion was
reduced by 40 per cent, without com-
promising growth or body composi-
tion.
Despite its benefits, precision feed-
ing is still a relatively new concept.
Research into feeding behavior
provides a link in the gap between the
nutritional and behavioral sciences.
A better understanding of pig feed-
ing behavior could provide valuable
insights which could contribute to
improved feeding strategies, produc-
tivity, and well-being.
Researchers at AAFC’s Dairy and
Swine Research and Development
Centre in Sherbrooke, Que. set out
to explore the feeding behavior of
grower-finisher pigs raised with pre-
cision feeding strategies. The study
was performed over 84 days with 35
barrows and 35 gilts, starting at 30 kg
body weight. Researchers evaluated
five different treatments.
The control treatment was a three-
phase feeding program that provided
all pigs in the group with a fixed
blend of a high nutrient density diet
and a low nutrient density diet within
each feeding phase. The treatment
diets were four daily phase-feeding
programs in which pigs were fed with
a diet blended to meet 110, 100, 90, or
80 per cent of their estimated lysine
requirements.
The use of electronic feeders is
a key element in precision feed-
ing strategies. These feeders record
detailed and quantitative information
on feeding behavior, such as time,
size, and duration of each meal. In
this study, feed was provided individ-
ually via five feeding stations installed
side-by-side in the front of the pen.
The feeding station identified each
pig as its head entered the feeder and
delivered a blend of feeds in response
to each animal’s estimated allowance.
The feeders precisely monitored the
timing of each visit and the amount
of feed consumed.
Throughout the trial, the pigs met
the expected performance for their
genotype, in terms of feed consump-
tion and weight gain. The feeding
pattern that emerged was diurnal (or
occurred during the day); 73 per cent
of the feeder visits followed this time-
line. The diurnal nature of feed intake
increased with age, with daytime
The impact of precision feedingon feeding
behaviour of grower-finisher pigs
Precision feeding can be beneficial for commercial swine production, without impacting feeding be-
haviour, according to researchers.
by JANICE MURPHY
Stramyk/Creative RF/Getty Images photo
The reality is that pigs’ nutrient requirements change over time, follow individual pat-
terns, and can even vary greatly between individuals in a group.