The Reality of Ad-Libitum Feeding
By Dr. Mike Brumm, Brumm Swine Consultancy, Inc.
Disruptions in feed delivery to pens of pigs in ad libitum feeding systems occur more often than producers and their advisors commonly acknowledge. While the cause can be one of several things ‘gone wrong’, the consequence to the growing pig is the same – no feed in the feed trough when the pig desires to eat. Known health consequences associated with out-of-feed events include enteric disruptions including hemorrhagic bowel syndrome and ulcers. On-farm experiences also include triggering of tail-biting as a consequence. Recent University of Nebraska research suggests that repeated out-of-feed events result in decreased daily gain, with minimal impacts on feed conversion. It appears that the growing pig is more susceptible to the negative consequences of out-of-feed events when compared with the pig nearing market weight.
There are a variety of estimates as to the cost of the reduction in gain associated with repeated out-of-feed events. If the pigs can remain in the facility longer to achieve market weight, the added cost is increased yardage – often $0.12/day. If it takes 5 days longer to attain the desired weight, the cost is $0.60/pig.
However, most production facilities are constrained by time. Thus, any decrease in gain is often associated with an increase in lights and culls when the facility is emptied. In this case, the penalty for the loss in gain is loss in income associated with fewer pigs meeting the desired market matrix. Depending on the number of out-of-feed events, this loss may be as high at $3/pig placed.
Check List for Minimizing Out-of-Feed Events
Empty Feed Storage Devices
- Is there a schedule for inspection and inventory of feed storage devices?
- Are feed delivery amounts and dates compared to estimated amounts and dates?
- Are feed inventories at production facilities anticipated when feed mills are unable to delivery feed such as during weekends or during periods of repair and maintenance?
- Are standard operating procedures developed for timing of feed orders and deliveries?
- Is there clear identification of the person responsible for placement of feed orders and verification of delivery of orders in a timely manner?
- Are storage devices clearly labeled to assure that feed is placed in the correct device?
Bridging of Feed in Storage Devices
- Are feed storage devices clean and free of mold and old feed on sidewalls and slopes?
- Are agitation devices available for feed storage devices?
- Is a rubber mallet available for use on metal storage devices to create vibrations to dislodge bridged feed?
- Have options for a change in ingredients and/or particle size been discussed with a nutritionist?
Maintenance and Repair of Feed Delivery Devices
- Is there a planned schedule for maintenance of feed delivery devices such as auger lines and proximity switches?
- Is there an inventory on-hand of routine parts needed to keep feed delivery devices operating?
- In the event of a major mechanical failure, is there a plan for keeping feeders stocked with feed while repairs are accomplished?
Overall
- Are Standard Operating Procedures in place specifying how out-of-feed events are to be resolved?
- Is an out-of-feed event a reportable event?
Dr. Mike Brumm is the owner of Brumm Swine Consultancy, Inc. of North Mankato, Minnesota. He was previously a professor at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Brumm's areas of expertise include management and housing of the growing pig, industry issues including production networks, contracts, cost of production and record systems.
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