Practical methods and tips for making smart use of feed in pig farming

Variety and rational balance to ensure comprehensive nutrition Among the three types of feed for pigs - green feed, roughage and concentrate - green feed contains a lot of water, is bulky, easy to digest, highly palatable, and contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and protein; roughage is bulky and relatively high in crude fiber, and when rationally combined it can increase the contact area between feed and digestive juices and has a laxative effect, easily giving pigs a feeling of fullness, but it is difficult to digest; concentrate is characterized by small volume, high nutritional value and easy digestibility, but it is relatively lacking in minerals and vitamins.

?Pay attention to the relationship between daily ration volume and pig feed intake The volume of feed can be measured by calculating its dry matter content. Based on a 100 kg pig requiring 2.5 kg to 4.5 kg of feed dry matter per day, the dry matter of the three types of feed - green feed, roughage and concentrate - should be in a ratio of 5:3:2. For example, a 150 kg pregnant sow requires 5 kg of feed dry matter per day; then 2.5 kg of dry matter comes from green feed (6 kg of green feed yields 1 kg of dry matter), 1.5 kg of dry matter comes from roughage, and 1 kg of dry matter comes from concentrate.

?Ensure the mixed feed is palatable and easy to digest In mixed feed, if the content of energy and protein is relatively high and the content of crude fiber is low, then palatability is good and digestion is easy; conversely, if the content of energy and protein is low and the content of crude fiber is high, then palatability is poor and digestion is difficult. When mixing pig feed, it is advisable to use more green feed and less roughage, and the roughage used should be of good quality.