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“What sort of conversation are you having with your genetics supplier? With feed prices rising sharply, pig producers should be asking them specific questions regarding feed conversion efficiency, since this has such a crucial effect on the economics of any pig enterprise,” says Matthew Curtis, managing director of pig-breeding company, ACMC.
Matthew Curtis Accurate testing for feed intake is vital, says ACMC
In particular, pig farmers need to know whether boars have been individually tested for feed conversion and whether they have an EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) for this trait. He advises farmers using AI to ascertain whether their doses are from semen ‘pooled’ from several boars or if it comes from a nominated boar whose feed conversion has been individually recorded. This can have a big effect on both feed efficiency and growth rate of their progeny.
“Now, more than ever, with competition from cheaper imports of pigmeat likely increase due to the weakening Euro, the British pig industry must focus on feed conversion,” he said.
He points out that with feed at £220 per tonne, a 0.1 improvement on feed conversion on a finishing pig from weaning to 110 kg is worth £2.24 per pig. With a 500-sow herd selling 22 pigs per sow a year this is equivalent to an increased margin of £24,640
www.acmc.co.uk
