Under-performance in Pigs Flashcards
How is productivity in pigs measured?
Pigs/sow/year with a target of 26
What measurements are included in pigs/sow/year?
Litter size, number of litters and pre-weaning mortality
What other factor is important in productivity of a pig unit?
All farrowing crate are full as empty farrowing crate will follow through until finishing
What is the Two Tonnes Sow?
The aim to achieve industry average of 2,000kg carcass weight/sow/year to match other EU countries
How is growth of pigs measured?
Killing out percentage = % of body weight that goes for meat
Days to slaughter/average daily gain/FCE
Carcass quality
How can killing out weight affect productivity?
Butchering cost is the same for all carcasses so a lighter pig has a smaller margin
When are pigs killed for meat in the UK?
90-100 days
Days to slaughter roughly 6 months
What affects days to slaughter?
Food conversion vs cost of feed
Sex
How can you ensure optimum food conversion ratio (FCR)?
Record FCR at all stages of production
Make appropriate investment in new buildings, feed systems and washing systems
Know output of system in kg of pig and work to optimum
Make sure that pigs have access to enough clean drinking water
What things should be looked at when examining the water system?
Flow rate, height, rate of delivery, cleanliness of drinkers/bowls
What is phase feeding?
Match requirements to stage of growth with diet supporting lean growth at least cost
How is lean growth achieved?
Amount of protein in relation to energy in the diet should be decreased with increasing weight
What is the importance of efficient feeding?
Protein under supply will fail to exploit lean growth
Protein over supply will reduce growth and increase nitrogen excretion
Pork tenderness is improved by increasing growth
How much could phase feeding save?
Between £0.54 and £1.54 per pig depending on cost of protein rich food and slaughter weight
What percentage of costs of production does feed costs account for?
55%
