Hog Feeder Boosts Production With Less Protein

Hog Feeder Boosts Production With Less Protein HOG EQUIPMENT & IDEAS A Canadian hog feeding system fattens hogs at less cost with less waste according to research scientist Candido Pomar at Agri-Food Canada It tailors rations daily to match each animal’s needs “We aren’t changing feed intake or rate of gain or the amount of feed provided ” says Pomar “What we do change is the amount of protein and lysine they get We get the same amount of meat with 25 percent less protein ” The key to the system is the use of transponders that communicate with the computerized feed control system Pomar attaches them to test pigs although he says they could also be implanted “We’re using some transponders that have been used on hogs for the past 20 years in various studies ” he says “They’re very dependable ” The transponders trigger the feeding system However they also aid the system as it collects body weight feed intake and growth information With this the computer is able to adapt a ration specific to each pig When the pig with its attached transponder approaches the feeding system a tailored ration is released Less protein fed means lower costs The customized rations also reduce the amount of phosphorus “Protein and phosphorous are two of the most expensive nutrients in a swine ration ” says Pomar “Reducing each by 25 percent has a big impact on feed costs ” Less nitrogen and phosphorous consumed means less excreted in the manure Pomar describes reductions of as much as 50 percent in nitrogen and 25 to 30 percent in phosphorous Pomar has been working on the system for much of the past 10 years He did not estimate what costs would be The current system is custom built and much more expensive than a commercial system would be The challenge is not only developing the technology but also gaining a better understanding of what a pig needs “We are still refining the nutritional concepts to be used with the system ” he says What has been learned will be moved to commercial-sized trials at the Prairie Swine Centre If results continue to be positive Pomar is hopeful a company will want to license the concept and make it available to producers “Hog producers who have seen our system are very positive about it and look forward to having this technology available to them ” he says “How soon that happens will depend on industry ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Attn: Candido Pomar Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2000 College St Sherbrooke Quebec Canada J1M 0C8 ph 819 780-7252; candido pomar@agr gc ca; www agr gc ca

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