1. Department of Animal Science
Livestock Feeding AnS 320 “Swine Feeding and Management” Lecture 1: April 13
Dr. John F. Patience
Department of Animal Science
201H Kildee Hall
Phone:

2. Applied Swine Nutrition Research Program

3. Objectives
To establish and maintain effective two-way communication with the pork industry.
To implement a research program with a short- to medium-term time line.
To fully integrate graduate training at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels into our research program.
To communicate the results of the research program to the pork industry and the academic community.

4. Our Goal
To develop an understanding of high priority nutrition and management issues to create solutions and develop strategies that support greater economic success and improved long term sustainability of the pork industry

5. Research Themes Energy metabolism Ingredient evaluation
How to best supply energy to the pig
How the pig uses energy for growth
Ingredient evaluation
Evaluation of ingredients
Improved approaches to ingredient evaluation
Feeding and management
Based on industry input and suggestions

6. Outline Concepts of life-cycle feeding of swine
Feeding and management: Sows
Diet formulation issues
Feeding management issues
Feeding and management: Gestation
Example diets
Feeding and management: Lactation

7. PRODUCTION CONTINUUM
What occurs in one phase of production often affects outcomes in later phases. Or
Diagnosing problems in one phase of production often requires consideration of what is happening in earlier phases.
Breeding
Farrowing
Nursery
Growout

8. Life cycle feeding objectives
To ensure that the feeding of animals in one phase of the production system does not impair production later in life
Market
Gestation
Lactation
Growout
Nursery

9. Life cycle feeding objectives
By understanding the implications of life-cycle feeding, achieve production objectives at the lowest possible cost

10. WHAT YOU CANNOT MEASURE
WHAT GETS MEASURED
GETS MANAGED OR
YOU CANNOT MANAGE
WHAT YOU CANNOT MEASURE

11. The decision-making process
Perception of Risk versus Reward

12. Accuracy versus Precision
High accuracy
High precision
Low accuracy
High precision
High accuracy
Low precision
Low accuracy
Low precision
Source: Rutherford and Moughan, 2000

13. Feeding and Management: Sows

14. Framework for Developing Feeding Programs
Nutrient Requirements
Nutrient Supply
Feeding Program
Functional Properties
Pork Quality
Profitability
Sustainability

15. Life cycle feeding Gestation feeding affects:
Sow condition at farrowing
Feed intake during lactation
Sows that get too fat in gestation eat less in lactation
Piglet birth weight
Response is very small
Cost of feeding the breeding herd
Feeding too much feed or too rich a diet increases feed costs with no benefits, possibly detriments
Well-being of the sow
Thin sows are easily chilled and more susceptible for illness

16. Life cycle feeding Lactation feeding affects: Sow condition at weaning
Affects subsequent reproduction
Litter weaning weights
Sows will “milk off their back” but this is both inefficient and ineffective, compared to feeding the sow correctly
Cost of feeding the breeding herd
Feeding too much feed or too rich a diet increases feed costs with no benefits, possibly detriments
Well-being of the sow
Thin sows are easily chilled and more susceptible for illness

17. Tracking actual sow feed usage: Gestation feed
Example: 3,500 sow herd using 1,020 tons of gestation feed over 4 months. Average daily gestation feed disappearance = 1,220 tons X 2,000 lb/ton 3,300 crates X 166 days = 2,440, ,800 = 4.45 lb/sow/day

18. Tracking actual sow feed usage: Lactation feed: Option 1
Example: 3,500 sow herd with 525 crates farrows 2,950 litters using 325 tons of lactation feed over 4 months
Average daily lactation feed disappearance
= tons X 2,000 lb/ton
525 crates X 122 days
= 650,000
64,050
= lb/sow/day
[Under-estimates actual usage, due to empty crates, or pre-farrowed sows in crates. Must know this information to use the information effectively.]

19. Tracking actual sow feed usage: Lactation feed: Option 2
Example: 3,500 sow herd with 525 crates farrows 2,950 litters using 325 tons of lactation feed over 4 months
Average daily lactation feed disappearance; ave. lactation 19 d
= tons X 2,000 lb/ton
2950 litters X 19 days
= 650,000
56,050
= lb/sow/day
[Over-estimates actual usage, because feed given to sows prior to farrowing is included. Must know this information to use the information effectively.]

20. Recommended Nutrient Levels for Lactating Sows and Giltsa
Amount/head/day (g)
Amount/ton (%)
TID Lysine 48
0.87
TID Met & Cys 26
0.47
TID Tryptophan 9
0.16
TID Threonine 30
0.55
TID Valine 43
0.78
Calcium 49
0.90
Available phosphorus
24.5
0.45
Salt 27
0.50
aAssumes 12 lb/day feed intake of a diet containing 0.87% TID lysine

21. Adj. 21-day litter weaning wt, lb Lactation feed intake, lb/d
Dietary TID Lysine Level Based Upon Litter Weaning Weight and Sow Feed Intake
Adj. 21-day litter weaning wt, lb
Lactation feed intake, lb/d
Lysine, g/d 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
TID
Total
100
0.88
0.78
0.71
0.64
0.59 32 36
110
1.02
0.91
0.82
0.74
0.68
0.63 37 42
120
1.03
0.93
0.84
0.77
0.66 48
130
1.04
0.94
0.86
0.80
0.69 47 53
140
0.96
0.76 52 59
150
1.05
0.97
0.90 57 65

22. Suggested TID Amino Acid Ratios for Sows
Gestation
Lactation
Lysine
100%
Methionine
28%
Met & Cys
70%
55%
Threonine
80%
62%
Tryptophan
20%
19%
Isoleucine
60%
Valine
67%
90%

23. Recommended Nutrient Levels for Lactating Sows and Giltsa
VITAMINS
Amount/head/day
Amount/ton
Vitamin A
60,000 USP
10,000,000 USP
Vitamin D
7,5000 USP
1,250,000 USP
Vitamin E
360 IU
60,000 IU
Vitamin Kc
24 mg
4,000 mg
Riboflavin
45 mg
7,500 mg
Niacin
270 mg
45,000 mg
d-Pantothenic acid
150 mg
25,000 mg
Vitamin B12
0.21 mg
35 mg
Folic acid
9 mg
1,500 mg
Biotin
1.2 mg
200 mg
Choline
3,000 mg
500,000 mg
Pyridoxine
27 mg
4,500 mg
Carnitine
aAssumes 12 lb/day feed intake of a diet containing 0.87% TID lysine cMenadione

24. Recommended Nutrient Levels for Lactating Sows and Giltsa
TRACE MINERALSb
Amount/head/day (mg)
Amount/ton (g)
Copper 90 15
Iodine
1.6
0.27
Iron
900
150
Manganese
216 36
Selenium
Zinc
Chromium
1.09
0.181
aAssumes 12 lb/day feed intake of a diet containing 0.87% TID lysine
bTrace minerals and vitamins levels added to the diet

25. Recommended Maximum Concentrations of Toxin in Swine Diets
Pig
Dietary Concentration
Deoxynivalenol
ppm
Zearalenone
Aflatoxin
ppb
Breeding herd
1.0
2.0
100
Young 20
Growing
---a
Finishing
3.0
200
Young males
Old males
a Concentration not determined
Modified from Michigan State University

26. Feeding and Management: Gestation

27. Example Gestation Diets
Mixed parity diet
Young parity diet
Old parity diet
Ingredient
Corn-soy diet
Soy hull diet
Corn or milo
1,626
1,548
1,617
Soybean meal, 46.5% CP
291
271
202
Soy hulls
---
100
Monocalcium phosphate, 21% P 32 31 29
Limestone 28 27
Salt 10
Vitamin premix with phytase 5
Trace mineral premix 3
Sow add pack
Total
2,000

28. Example Gestation Diets
Mixed parity diet
Young parity diet
Old parity diet
Calculated analysis
Corn-soy diet
Soy hull diet
TID Lysine, %
0.56
0.55
0.46
Total lysine, %
0.65
TID Lysine:ME ratio, g/Mcal
1.71
1.44
TID Methionine:lysine ratio,% 38 41
TID Met & Cys:lysine ratio, % 78 85
TID Threonine:lysine ratio, % 76 80
TID Tryptophan:lysine ratio, % 23 22
ME, kcal/lb
1,484
1,451
Protein, %
13.7
13.4
12.1
Calcium, %
0.90
Phosphorus, %
0.66
0.64
0.61
Available phosphorus, %
0.39
0.38
0.35
Available phosphorus equiv, %a
0.45
0.44
0.42
aThe available phosphorus equivalency includes the phosphorus release due to inclusion of phytase in the vitamin premix.

29. Gestation feeding challenges
Optimize lifetime sow productivity, as a means of maximizing herd profitability
Over-feeding sows in gestation reduces feed intake in lactation
Under-feeding sows in gestation impairs reproductive performance and animal well-being (shoulder sores)
Avoid mycotoxins; this may be the worst place to feed mycotoxin contaminated feed

30. Gestation feeding targets
Body condition score between 3 and 3.5 – for ALL sows
Avoid sows that are too fat or too thin
Backfat levels of 0.75” to 0.80” at farrowing (measured at last rib, 2.5” to 3.0” off the midline)
Avoid bf less than 0.55” at weaning
Adjust feed intake according to body weight and backfat
Very thin sows have higher maintenance energy requirements, because they have lower insulation levels and are often more active.

31. Gestation feeding program
Sows must be limit fed during gestation; otherwise they become too fat
Do not feed more than 4 to 5 lb per day for the first 3 weeks after breeding; excess intake lowers fetal survival
Feed 4.0 to 4.5 lb of a corn-soybean meal diet per day, adjusting as required for body condition
Increase feed allowance by 2 lb during the last 21 days of gestation
Increases gut capacity to support maximum intake in lactation
Recognizes that most fetal growth occurs during the final 3 weeks of gestation.
Exception if over-fat sows

32. Limit feeding gestating sows
Easily accomplished in gestation stalls
Automatic drops MUST be calibrated regularly, to ensure the sow is receiving what you think she should be receiving.
More difficult to achieve in group housing systems
Key rule: to successfully feed sows in group housed gestation, remove competition for feed. The greater the competition among sows for feed, the less successful the housing system will be.
Options:
Electronic sow feeders
Walk-in-lock-in feeding stalls
Trickle feeders
Floor feeding, with multiple drops, spreading out supply of feed throughout the pen. Including dividers within the pen helps

33. Energy and Feed (lb/day) Required to Maintain Body Weight
Dietary energy, kcal/lb
Sow weight, lb
ME, kcal
1,400
1,500
350
4,741
3.4
3.2
400
5,240
3.7
3.5
450
5,724
4.1
3.8
500
6,195
4.4
550
6,654
4.8
600
7,103
5.1
4.7

34. Energy and Feed (lb/day) Required For Backfat Gain Above Requirement For Maintenance
mm (in)
Dietary energy, kcal
ME, kcal
1,400
1,500
0 (0)
342
0.24
0.23
3 (.12)
991
0.71
0.66
6 (.24)
1,649
1.18
1.10
9 (.35)
2,307
1.65
1.54

35. Backfat at breeding, mm (in)
Feeding Levels (lb/day) For Gestating Sows Based on Backfat and Weight Category at Breeding
Flank to flank, in
Estimated weight, lb
Backfat at breeding, mm (in)
9-11
( )
12-14
( )
15-17
( )
> 18
(.71)
< 36.3
> 325
5.0
(.20)
4.4
(.17)
3.9
(.15)
3.4
(.13)
5.5
(.22)
5.9
(.23)
5.4
(.21)
4.9
(.19)
4.3
6.4
(.25)
4.8
> 44.0
6.9
(.27)
5.8
5.3
Based on a diet containing 1,500 kcal ME/lb (corn-soybean meal).

36. Case study
You are managing a large sow herd, and your records indicate that sow productivity is a modest 23 pigs per sow per year (p/s/y). You realize that financial success is unlikely unless you elevate this level of productivity to at least 26 p/s/y.
Reviewing the PigChamp records, you note the following:
Non-productive sow days (NPD) is well above target (63)
Weanling to re-breeding interval is acceptable (5.8)
Percent bred by 7 days is unacceptable (88)
Percent repeats is excessive (12)
Numbers born and born alive is unacceptable (11.9/11.0)
You are confident that your genetics and breeding management are capable of achieving your sow productivity target. You take a walk through your gestation barn; what would you expect to see and what feeding and feeding management actions would you undertake to correct the problems?

37. Feeding and Management: Lactation

38. Example Lactation Diets
TID Lysine, %
Ingredient, lb/ton
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.95
1.00
1.05
Corn
1,435
1,395
1,356
1,316
1,277
1,238
Soybean meal, 46.5% CP
486
526
566
605
645
685
Choice white greasea
0-5%
Monocalcium Phosphate, 21% P
28.5 28
27.5
Limestone 27
Salt 10
Vitamin premix with phytase 5
Trace mineral premix 3
Sow add pack
Total
2,000
a If adding fat, substitute for grain on an equal weight basis

39. Example Lactation Diets
Calculated analysis
TID Lysine, %
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.95
1.00
1.05
Total Lysine, %
0.91
0.97
1.02
1.08
1.13
1.19
TID Lysine:ME ratio, g/Mcal
2.35
2.49
2.64
2.79
2.93
3.08
TID Methionine:lysine ratio, % 32 31 30 29 28
TID Met & Cys:lysine ratio, % 65 64 62 61 60 59
TID Threonine:lysine ratio, % 69 68 67 66
TID Tryptophan:lysine ratio, % 22
ME, kcal/lb
1,547
Protein, %
17.1
17.9
18.7
19.4
20.2
20.9
Calcium, %
Phosphorus, %
0.66
0.67
0.68
0.69
Available phosphorus, %
0.36
0.37
Available phosphorus equiv, %b
0.48
bThe available phosphorus equivalency includes the phosphorus release due to inclusion of phytase in the vitamin premix.

40. Feed intake
One of the greatest challenges in feeding the nursing sow is maximizing feed intake
Low feed intake leads to low nutrient intake
Low nutrient intake leads to:
Lower weaning weights
Loss of sow body condition
Increased sow culling
Impaired rebreeding and subsequent litter size

41. Effects of Lactation Feeding Level on Litter and Pig Performance
Item
Restricted
Ad libitum
SED
Probability, P <
No. of litters 38 40
---
Pigs/litter
d 3 (start creep)
11.0
10.9
0.3
0.75
d 21
10.4
0.93
Mortality, %
5.9
5.3
1.8
0.76
Litter weight, lb
39.3
38.6
1.4
0.53
125.1
132.6
4.5
0.10
Litter BW gain, lb
Total
94.7
102.9
3.9
0.04
ADG
5.20
5.64
0.21
NB – Restricted were fed 25% less than ab libitum

42. Lactation feeding program
Small amount of feed on day of farrowing
Hungry sows are restless and more likely to over-lay piglets
Sows typically will not eat much feed; farrowing room is very warm and fed deteriorates quickly
Day 1 – 2: Limit fed modestly; do not want to limit feed very much
Days 3+: Keep fresh feed in front of the sows at all times

43. Feeding Strategy for Lactating Sows
Number of 4-pound scoops to feed at each feeding from day 0 to 2 of lactation
Feeding
Feed in feeder AM PM
Empty 1
< 2 lb
0.5
> 2 lb
Number of 4-pound scoops to feed at each feeding from day 2 to weaning
Noon 2

44. Factors affecting feed intake - 1
Feed delivery
Pigs cannot eat feed that isn’t in front of them! By the 3rd day of lactation, sows should have feed in front of them all of the time
Feeding 3 to 4 times per day is preferred to feeding once or twice.
Density of the diet
Pigs eat more of a low density (low energy) diet, up to the volumetric capacity of their stomach
Temperature
High temperature discourages feed intake; low temperature encourages feed intake
If the temperature is too cold, or conditions are drafty and damp, part of the energy consumed by the sow will be needed to maintain thermal homeostasis

45. Factors affecting feed intake - 2
Genetics
Some lines of pigs have a naturally higher appetite. If using a low appetite line of pigs, even greater attention must be directed at maximizing feed intake
Palatability
It is important to note that the important factor here is what the pig considers palatable, not what the producer “thinks” is palatable.
Nutrient balance
Imbalances among, for example, amino acids will reduce feed intake
Body condition and reproductive cycle feeding
If sows are overfed in gestation, they will accrue more body fat and this tends to impair feed intake during lactation

46. Factors affecting feed intake - 3
Feeder design
Large feed troughs tend to increase feed intake
Wet/dry feeders tend to increase feed intake
Access to water
Water is particularly critical to a lactating sow
A sow weaning 11 piglets at 3 weeks of age weighing 13 lb will be producing an average of 2.5 gallons of milk per day!

47. How much lactation feed is enough?
Example
Piglets are gaining 11.5 lb during 19d nursing period
Sow is weaning 10.5 piglets per litter
Total weight gain is lb, or (120.8/19) 6.4 lb/d
Estimated energy req’t is 3.6 Mcal DE/lb litter gain
Daily energy requirement would be (6.4 X 3.6) 23.0 Mcal DE/d, or 21.9 Mcal ME/d
Diet ME content is 1.45 Mcal ME/lb
Therefore, sow must eat 15.1 lb feed/d
Is this possible?
If yes, what actions can producer take to maximize intake?
If no, what options are available to 1) the sow, or 2) the producer?

48. Fibre in lactation diets
Nursing sows are susceptible to constipation
Constipation can be treated by using:
Fiber
Wheat midds (±20%)
Soybean hulls (±10%)
Alfalfa meal (±25%)
Sugar beet pulp (7±%)
Oats (±20%)
(Risk: Use of fibrous ingredients will lower diet energy density and may compromise sow’s ability to consume sufficient energy
Chemical laxatives
MgSO4 (Epsom salts: 30 lb/ton)
NaSO4 (Glauber salts: 60 lb/ton)
(Risk: Chemical laxatives are harsh; should be used carefully)

49. Lactation feeding quandary
In order to maximize sow feed intake, she wants the room kept as cool as possible
In order to maximize piglet growth and well-being, they want the room to be kept very warm
If the room is kept too cool for the piglets, they will huddle with the sow, increasing the risk of being over-lain
Increased mortality due to overlays is often related to a room temperature that is too cool
Compromise
Keep the farrowing room temperature elevated during farrowing and the first 24 to 36 hours post-farrowing, to get the piglets off to a good start.
Lower the temperature to 68 to 72⁰F thereafter and provide zone heating for the piglets
Feed intake declines by about 0.2 lb/d per ⁰F above 68⁰F

50. Further reading
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4