Formulating Low-Cost Swine Rations

Feed costs represent a significant portion of the total cost of producing pork, typically 55-70% . Therefore, optimizing swine nutrition should be a top priority for pork producers looking to improve profitability. By carefully formulating rations using the most cost-effective, locally-sourced ingredients while still meeting the nutritional needs of pigs, it’s possible to reduce feed costs without compromising growth performance or feed efficiency. Here are some key strategies for formulating low-cost swine rations:

Use Locally Available Grains as the Energy Source

Cereal grains like corn, sorghum, wheat, barley, and oats are the main energy sources in swine rations. Using grains that are readily available in your area reduces transportation costs and supports local agriculture . Avoid feeding blighted, moldy or ergot-infected grains, as they can contain mycotoxins that may harm pig health and performance .

Supplement with High-Quality Protein Sources

While grains provide some protein, they are deficient in certain essential amino acids like lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine that are critical for swine growth and development. To balance the amino acid profile, add a high-quality protein supplement like soybean meal to the ration . Other protein sources that can be used include:

• Peanut meal
• Milk byproducts
• Meat and bone meal
• Tankage

However, these alternatives may cost more than soybean meal, which is widely available and usually the most economical choice .

Optimize Mineral Supplementation

Grains are inherently low in calcium and contain some phosphorus that is unavailable to pigs. Most swine rations require supplemental calcium and phosphorus to meet nutritional needs . A common practice is to add dicalcium phosphate and limestone at around 1% each to the ration. Other minerals like salt, copper, iron, iodine, zinc, manganese and selenium can be provided through trace mineral mixes or premixes .

Consider Alternative Ingredients

Many by-products from industries like grain milling, baking, brewing, distilling, etc. can be used to substitute portions of the energy or protein in swine rations. Some examples include:

• Corn gluten feed
• Corn gluten meal
• Fababeans
• Flax
• Liquid whey from cheese plants

The appropriate amount to include depends on factors like cost, nutrient availability, amino acid profile, palatability, storage life, and the age of the pigs .

Optimize Feeding Programs

Pigs fed complete rations in pellet form gain up to 10% faster on about 14% less feed compared to meal rations . Providing antibiotics and feed additives can also aid growth, feed efficiency and disease control, especially in younger pigs . By using locally available grains, optimizing protein and mineral supplementation, considering alternative ingredients, and fine-tuning feeding programs, it’s possible to formulate low-cost, nutritionally-balanced swine rations. Least-cost ration formulation using linear programming techniques can help identify the most economical combination of ingredients while meeting all nutritional requirements . Ultimately, the goal is to supply the nutrients pigs need at each stage of production in the most cost-effective way possible. With careful planning and execution, pork producers can reduce feed costs and improve profitability.