Romy Hendricks is Jr. Global Feed Specialist and she is a team member of the Global Nutrition Services. This team provides feed advice and support to customers, advisors and feed producers worldwide about the best feeding practices to unlock the maximum potential of Topigs Norsvin genetics.
Worldwide raw material prices of almost all ingredients are rising extremely and this lead to record feed prices. Thus, pork producers will pay more attention to optimize feed costs and efficiency in their production units. Here are Romy’s tips to save on sow feed costs:
- Avoid overfeeding in your sow herd.
It is important to focus on precision feeding through regular objective measurement, for example weight and backfat. Sows with different body composition and different parities have other nutrient requirements. - Calibration of your feed system is key to avoid wastage.
frequently checking the accuracy of your feed settings and electronical sow feeders will ensure that the right amount of kilograms or pounds is fed to the sows. Replace broken or damaged feeders to minimize feed wastage. - Know when the time is right to inseminate your gilts.
Today’s gilts will grow faster, reach puberty earlier and can be inseminated earlier with the correct weight and age as recommended by Topigs Norsvin. You can save approximately 21 days of feed. - Reduce the number of non-productive days.
A non- or low-productive sow will cost money, therefore it is important that culled sows or non-selected gilts leave the farm as soon as possible. Non-pregnant sows should be detected quickly to rebreed. - Make sure that environmental factors are adequate to promote optimal performance.
Factors like ventilation, stocking density, air flow and quality, temperatures, and flooring will influence the sows’ ability to stay healthy and produce to her full potential throughout her productive life.
