Dr. Jerzy: Best Strategies for Reducing Feed-to-Meat Ratio in Large-Scale Pig Farms

Optimal Production Performance Improvement Strategy for Large-Scale Pig Farms

Cost management is a critical aspect of competitiveness for pig farming companies. In the volatile pig farming market, companies that focus on cost leadership have the best chance of standing firm during multiple pig cycles. As feed costs account for approximately 70% of total pig farming expenses, finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining high pork quality has become the industry’s central challenge. Dr. Jerzy Pastuszak , the primary researcher for this study, shares his extensive experience working with farms in China, Russia, Denmark, Spain, and other countries over recent years. He provides a comprehensive strategy to optimize feed-to-meat ratios. His recommendations cover four key areas: genetic selection, daily diet regulation, disease prevention and control, and equipment optimization, offering a pathway for companies to achieve greater cost-efficiency and productivity.

1. Impact of Genetics on Feed-to-Meat Ratio

Different pig breeds exhibit varying feed-to-meat ratios and daily weight gain, which can directly impact farm profitability. In the past decade, the genetic improvement in Russia’s pig farming industry has been largely attributed to the introduction of superior European pig strains. Special attention has been given to the protein deposition potential, particularly the timing of fat deposition after reaching 100kg. Genetic improvements have been shown to accelerate growth before 75kg, which is the critical period for optimizing feed-to-meat ratios. Breeding companies are focusing on selecting strains that delay fat deposition and extend the protein deposition phase.

Key Findings:

• Before 75kg, pigs grow fastest, making this phase critical for genetic improvements.

• Different pig breeds, such as Duroc and PIC, currently show minimal differences in feed conversion rates, suggesting that improvements in genetic selection can have a greater impact than breed choice alone.

2. Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Feed-to-Meat Ratio

The use of lysine in pig diets has gained attention due to its role in improving growth performance and feed nutrient digestibility. However, too much or too little lysine can have negative effects. The optimal lysine intake is generally considered not to exceed 20g/d, with levels varying by growth stage. Reducing synthetic amino acids and ensuring a balanced amino acid profile can improve feed efficiency and reduce costs.

Key Findings:

• A balanced amino acid profile is essential for improving feed efficiency.
• Excessive lysine supplementation can hinder cell vitality, while insufficient levels can disrupt metabolism.

3. Disease Prevention and Control's Role in Feed-to-Meat Ratio

Health issues, particularly respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, significantly affect feed conversion ratios. Effective disease prevention strategies, including vaccination, reverse feeding, and the use of biological control measures, are essential to maintain herd health and optimize feed utilization.

Key Solutions for Disease Prevention:

• Respiratory Diseases: Vaccination, ultraviolet sterilization, and biological filtration are commonly used to control porcine respiratory disease syndrome (PRRS) and other viral infections.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases: Infections caused by bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens and Lawsonia intracellularis can severely hinder growth and increase mortality. For Chinese farms, which often use high-protein diets, these issues represent a significant cost burden.

Sumeikang (Kesuning), a feed additive that regulates intestinal flora, has been shown to improve gut health, reduce mortality, and enhance feed efficiency. This leads to a reduction in the feed-to-meat ratio by 0.2, providing significant cost savings.

4. The Impact of Feeding Equipment on Feed-to-Meat Ratio

Optimizing feeding equipment is crucial to minimizing feed waste and improving efficiency. The proper structure of feeders, appropriate feeder-to-pig ratios, and precise feeding strategies can significantly reduce feed loss.

Best Practices:

• Use feeders with both water and feed troughs to minimize waste.
• Maintain an optimal feed level of 0.5 cm and water level of 1.5 cm to prevent overfeeding and wastage.
• The recommended feeder-to-pig ratio is 1:15 in a space of 0.7m3 per pig, which can achieve a feed conversion rate of 2.49.