In these times of high feed prices one of the biggest drivers of financial efficiency is food conversion ratio. With feed conversion rate costed by BPEX at around £2.90 per 0.1 improvement in FCR per finished pig, there are major savings to be made from targeting this area, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC.
Ensuring the right terminal sire is being used is essential and this should be discussed by producers with their breeding stock supplier. It may be possible when buying semen to nominate individual boars within the stud which have the greatest influence on this trait.
December 4, 2012 - ACMC Ltd/ England