An Analysis of the Scientific Use of Pig Compound Feed

Pig compound feed is feed that is rationally blended and processed from various feed ingredients according to the nutritional requirements of pigs to become nutritionally complete feed. The key to compound feed is the feed formula, and the core part of compound feed is concentrated feed. Concentrated feed, also called protein supplement feed, is a semi-finished compound feed made from protein feed (fish meal, soybean cake, etc.), mineral feed (bone meal, stone powder, etc.) and additive premix. When mixed with a certain proportion of energy feed (corn, wheat bran, etc.), it becomes a complete feed that meets the nutritional needs of animals, with advantages such as high protein content (generally between 30%-50%), comprehensive nutritional composition and convenient use.

1. The Advantages of Compound Feed

1.1 High economic benefit

Because compound feed is formulated according to the needs of pigs at different growth stages for various nutrients, it is nutritionally comprehensive and appropriately proportioned, can fully tap the production capacity of pigs, improve feed utilization, benefit the growth and production of pigs, shorten the feeding cycle, reduce feeding costs and increase economic benefits.

1.2 Full and rational use of various feed resources

Various cakes and meals such as corn, wheat, cottonseed cake, rapeseed cake, sesame cake and soybean cake, as well as blood meal, meat-and-bone meal, feather meal, and silkworm pupae, earthworms, snails, feed yeast, etc. are all important protein feed resources; animal bones, eggshells, shells, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, superphosphate, etc. all contain the phosphorus and calcium needed by animals; chemical products such as ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, cobalt sulfate, cobalt chloride and sodium selenite all contain the macroelements and trace elements needed by animals; various feed resources such as vitamins, amino acids, antibacterial drugs, deworming agents, flavoring agents and coloring agents can all be used as additives in compound feed production.

1.3 Conducive to the popularization of scientific feeding techniques

According to the physiological characteristics and production performance levels of different pigs, the feed formula is continuously improved and the feeding level is raised, so that scientific feeding techniques are popularized among a wide range of users along with the promotion of compound feed, and the level of scientific feeding is gradually improved.

1.4 Reducing labor intensity and raising labor productivity

With the rapid development of the feed industry, compound feed is mainly composed of concentrated feed (protein supplement feed) and energy feed (corn, wheat, etc.), and the concentrated feed can be produced centrally, saving a large amount of equipment expenditure and labor for breeding units; while the necessary energy feed such as corn and wheat and other crops are relatively abundant in rural areas, so the large amount of feed raw grain such as corn and wheat in rural areas can be rationally developed, turning resource advantages into economic advantages. At the same time, the use of compound feed is conducive to mechanized production, improving labor productivity and reducing costs. In addition, compound feed is simple to use and can be used according to the instructions, reducing labor intensity.|||2. Principles for Formulating Compound Feed

The compound feed formula is the technical core of feed use and is formulated by experts according to a certain procedure. All new formulas must undergo strict animal feeding trials to test the final effect of the formula and process. The following principles should be considered when designing a formula:

2.1 Based on feeding standards, meeting the nutritional needs of pigs

Feeding standards, also called nutrient requirements, are the scientifically specified amounts of energy and various nutrients that should be given to one pig per day according to the different types, sex, age, body weight, physiological state, production purpose and level of pigs. At present, China has established feeding standards for pigs. According to the feeding standards for different types of pigs, combined with the specific local conditions at the time, the feed composition and nutritional value tables can be consulted for daily ration formulation. If, due to limitations, not all the nutritional indicators specified in the feeding standards can be met, the needs for major nutrients such as energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus and salt must still be satisfied. The three limiting amino acids (methionine, lysine and tryptophan) should be met as far as possible. In particular, because energy feed accounts for the largest proportion of compound feed, the energy requirement of the feed must first be met when formulating feed.

2.2 Attention to comprehensive and balanced nutrition

It is not only necessary to consider whether the nutritional contents such as energy, protein, minerals and vitamins meet the feeding standards, but also to examine the quality of the nutrients. Raw materials should be diversified as far as possible so that they complement each other and achieve nutritional balance.

2.3 Attention to the ratio of energy to protein and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the feed formula

Because the production performance and physiological state of pigs differ, the requirements for the ratio of energy to protein and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the feed also differ. For example, pregnant sows have a relatively high requirement for the proportion of protein, while adult pigs have a relatively high requirement for the proportion of energy.

2.4 Attention to the volume of the daily ration