Better Pork - 2016 December

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34 Better Pork December 2016
NUTRITION
resulted in a reduction in the dietary
lysine level by 26 per cent, compared
to the three-phase diets. Feed in-
take and feed efficiency were similar
across treatments. Feeding pigs using
precision feeding at 110, 100, or 90
per cent of the estimated individual
lysine requirement also did not influ-
ence weight gain. This information
suggests the mathematical model
used to establish the feeding pat-
tern for individual pigs was properly
calibrated to estimate their lysine
requirements.
Researchers observed interactions
between treatment and feeding phase
for feed intake per meal and feed
consumption rate. However, feed-
ing behavior did not differ among
the treatments overall. Individually
feeding growing pigs with daily tai-
lored diets is an effective approach to
reduce lysine levels without impact-
ing performance. Based on current
and previous research results, the
researchers determined that precision
feeding programs could be applied in
commercial pig operations without
implications for feeding behavior or
performance.
Feeding rates and other behav-
iour-related information could prove
to be valuable tools in pig production.
Several factors appear to influence
feeder-use patterns in group-housed
pigs: light/dark cycles, group size,
social pressures, management level,
feed allowance, equipment design,
and housing environment. Since
no single mechanism regulates feed
intake on a wholesale basis, there is
still a need to better characterize the
effect of feeding programs and other
environmental factors on feeding
behavior.
Precision feeding offers significant
potential for the pork industry. How-
ever, implementing these systems
represents a challenge. A comprehen-
sive approach is needed to ensure the
supportive information is available
to farmers in order to confidently
estimate individual nutrient require-
ments, reliable electronic devices are
available for use on-farm, and the
program remains cost effective. These
challenges will need to be addressed
to solidify precision feeding as a prac-
tical and viable option for producers.
Based on this research, feeding
grower-finisher pigs individually
with daily tailored diets has been
established as an effective approach
for reducing lysine levels without
impacting performance or feeding
behavior. These results suggest sever-
al factors may play an important role
in the regulation of feeding behavior
in group-housed pigs. These factors
warrant consideration when design-
ing feeding programs for commercial
pig production, although further
research is necessary to better define
the specific mechanisms involved. BP
Janice Murphy lives in P.E.I. She is a
graduate of the University of Guelph
with a MSc in swine nutrition and has
worked in both the private and public
sectors.
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