Growth, feed and economics Dr Elizabeth Magowan Note: Do not change background, font or font colours.

Outline of presentation Large litters have given pig producers additional challenges. However: Can a light weight pig which weans heavy always perform well or does it fall back because it was small at birth? Can the growth check after weaning be overcome? Are these large litters worth it? Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Q1 – The light weight pig.. Birth and wean weight is a strong predictor of lifetime performance (Douglas et al., 2012) Allen et al (2010) found that 28% of pigs with a birth weight under 1kg could achieve a wean weight of 8kg or over Aim: To compare the lifetime growth rate and carcass performance of pigs with varying birth and wean weights Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Materials and Methods Pigs (200) were selected at weaning to represent four categories : Born light and weaned light Born light and weaned heavy Born heavy and weaned light Born heavy and weaned heavy A 5th group of pigs represented ‘Very low birth weight ’ pigs were artificially reared in ‘Rescue Decks’ ‘Light’ and ‘Heavy’ pigs represented pigs in the top and bottom weight quartile of each batch of pigs born and weaned All pigs underwent the same management and nutritional regime Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg) LL LH HL HH VLBW SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 0.04 <0.001 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 0.21 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 Wean - 10wks 419b 441c 467d 577e 354a 18.6 <0.001 10 - 20wks 859b 891b 852b 654a 38.8 10 wks - Finish 884b 906bc 888b 857b 698a 34.4 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 Wean - 10wks 419b 441c 467d 577e 354a 18.6 <0.001 10 - 20wks 859b 891b 852b 654a 38.8 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 Wean - 10wks 419b 441c 467d 577e 354a 18.6 <0.001 10 - 20wks 859b 891b 852b 654a 38.8 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 Wean - 10wks 419b 441c 467d 577e 354a 18.6 <0.001 10 - 20wks 859b 891b 852b 654a 38.8 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 7 wks 15.1b 18.0d 16.7c 20.7e 11.8a 0.50 <0.001 10 wks 27.6b 31.2c 30.4c 39.2d 21.6a 1.00 20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 7 wks 15.1b 18.0d 16.7c 20.7e 11.8a 0.50 <0.001 10 wks 27.6b 31.2c 30.4c 39.2d 21.6a 1.00 20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 7 wks 15.1b 18.0d 16.7c 20.7e 11.8a 0.50 <0.001 10 wks 27.6b 31.2c 30.4c 39.2d 21.6a 1.00 20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg) LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 7 wks 15.1b 18.0d 16.7c 20.7e 11.8a 0.50 <0.001 10 wks 27.6b 31.2c 30.4c 39.2d 21.6a 1.00 20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Effect of birth and wean weight on carcass performance LL LH HL HH Runts SED P Value Birth wt (kg) 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.0 Weaning wt (kg) 7.0 9.6 7.5 11.0 4.3 Finish wt (kg) 108b 109b 107b 110b 91a 3.33 <0.001 KO% 75.3 74.7 74.5 74.8 1.04 NS P2 (mm) 12.4bc 12.8c 11.8ab 11.4a 14.9d 0.79 <0.01 Note: Insert duplicate slide to retain format of body copy slides. Do not change background, font or font colours.

Conclusion Achieving a good wean weight can compensate for a poor birth weight However, the back fat depth of light birth weight pigs was greater than that of pigs with a heavy birth weight

Q2 :Is It possible to overcome the post weaning growth check? Weaning stressors = sow removal new housing and feed system new social interaction (mixing) Aim To investigate the separate effects of some of the stressors imposed at weaning Identify strategies to reduce the post weaning growth check There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Materials and Methods: In a 2 x 2 x 2 + 2 factorial design the 10 treatments were: There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 17

Materials and Methods: First 2: Pre weaning Creep feed offered: In a Hopper OR On the Floor There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 18

Materials and Methods: 2 x 2 : Pre weaning Creep feed: Hopper OR Floor At weaning pigs: Moved OR Stayed There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 19

Materials and Methods: 2 x 2 x 2 : Pre weaning Creep feed: Hopper OR Floor At weaning pigs: Moved OR Stayed Post weaning: DMS OR DMS + Hopper There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 20

Materials and Methods: 2 x 2 x 2 : ALL PIGS WERE MIXED Pre weaning Creep feed: Hopper OR Floor At weaning pigs: Moved OR Stayed Post weaning: DMS OR DMS + Hopper There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 21

Materials and Methods: The + 2 treatments were NOT mixed: Pigs were moved and placed on a DMS but no creep pre weaning: ABRUPT Pigs stayed, were fed with a small hopper then moved to a DMS (no creep pre weaning): GRADUAL There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. 22

Effect of feed system pre weaning on feed intake (kg/pen) after weaning: Floor Hopper SEM P Value Day 1 0.13 0.08 0.018 <0.05 Day 2 0.74 0.71 0.063 NS Day 3 1.36 1.43 0.074 Day 4 1.77 1.75 0.078 There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Effect of staying in the farrowing pen on feed intake (kg/pen) after weaning Stayed Moved SEM P Value Day 1 0.12 0.08 0.018 NS Day 2 0.80 0.65 0.063 Day 3 1.49 1.30 0.074 <0.1 Day 4 1.75 1.77 0.078 There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Effect of feed delivery post weaning on feed intake (kg/pen) DMS DMS+Hopper SEM P Value Day 1 0.07 0.13 0.017 <0.01 Day 2 0.69 0.75 0.062 NS Day 3 1.42 1.37 0.076 Day 4 1.72 1.80 0.081 Day 5 1.86 2.06 0.074 <0.1 Day 6 2.57 2.71 0.075 Day 7 3.14 3.30 0.080 Day 8 3.47 3.59 0.083 There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Feed used in the DMS vs the Hopper All P<0.001 Kg/pen There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg. Q - Should these hoppers be removed on Day 6/7?

Effect of few stressors 2 x2x2 Gradual Abrupt Sem P Value Feed Intake (kg/pen) Day 1 0.10 0.40 0.14 0.069 <0.05 Day 2 0.72 1.29 0.152 <0.1 Day 3 1.39 1.79 1.26 0.162 NS Day 4 1.76 2.40 1.71 0.191 Day 5 1.96 2.64 1.88 0.192 Day 6 3.03 2.65 0.179 Day 7 3.22 3.65 3.50 0.215 Day 8 3.53 4.31 3.94 0.229 Live weight (kg) 10 wks 29.1 32.0 29.7 0.51 <0.001 Average Daily Gain (g/day) Wn-7 349 433 373 13.5 Wn-10 479 550 495 12.4 <0.01 There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

8 Day intake vs 10 week weight gain For every 100g extra in intake, there is an extra 320g increase in weight gain to 10 weeks of age

Summary When pigs were mixed: The reduction of other stressors had little effect on intake or growth When pigs were NOT mixed AND NOT moved: Intake 48 hrs after weaning was higher and remained numerically high 10 week weight was 2kg heavier There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Conclusion The growth check can be overcome – but commercially impractical It is suggested that mixing is the most stressful factor. Should small circular hoppers be removed on day 6/7? For every 100g extra intake in the 8 days post weaning, the extra gain to 10 weeks of age = 320g There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Q3 Are large litters worth it? Decrease in average birth and wean weight Therefore decrease in lifetime performance Lower performance = lower pig value Aim: To investigate the ‘economic’ balance between the numbers of pigs in large litters and their performance Note: Do not change background, font or font colours.

The steps AFBI Hillsborough data between 2011 and 2015 Birth, wean,10 and 20 week weights and FCR between 12 weeks of age and finish (120kg) Matrix of birth weight and wean weight according to litter size established Correlations to determine subsequent performance used Assume finisher feed cost of £200/tonne and carcass value of £1.15/kg Note: Do not change background, font or font colours.

Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size

Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size

Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size

Birth of pigs based on original litter size

Performance based on wean weight Wean weight (kg) 10 week weight (kg) 20 week Finishing FCR Finisher feed used (kg) to 110kg 2.5 17.9 68.2 2.72 251 4.5 21.5 73.7 2.66 235 6.5 25.1 79.2 2.59 220 8.5 28.7 84.7 2.52 205 10.5 32.3 90.2 2.45 190 12.5 35.9 95.7 2.38 177 14.5 39.5 101.2 2.32 163

Litter value Litter size No born alive Total intake of litter (kg) Cost of finisher feed per litter (£) Litter carcass value (£) Margin over feed per Litter (£) Margin over feed per pig (£) 11.0 10.7 2154 431 1025 12.0 11.5 2289 458 1102 13.0 12.3 2485 497 1179 14.0 12.9 2633 527 1241 15.0 13.7 2775 555 1317 16.0 14.6 2976 595 1399 17.0 15.1 3022 604 1452 18.0 15.8 3283 657 1514 19.0 17.2 3508 702 1649

Litter value On average, £44 per extra pig in the litter Litter size No born alive Total intake of litter (kg) Cost of finisher feed per litter (£) Litter carcass value (£) Margin over feed per Litter (£) Average Margin over feed per pig (£) 11.0 10.7 2154 431 1025 594 55.72 12.0 11.5 2289 458 1102 644 56.20 13.0 12.3 2485 497 1179 682 55.60 14.0 12.9 2633 527 1241 714 55.34 15.0 13.7 2775 555 1317 761 55.61 16.0 14.6 2976 595 1399 804 55.25 17.0 15.1 3022 604 1452 847 56.11 18.0 15.8 3283 657 1514 858 54.45 19.0 17.2 3508 702 1649 947 55.23 On average, £44 per extra pig in the litter

Impact of wean weight on individual pig value For every 1kg extra in wean weight, there is an extra £1.46/pig in margin over finisher feed

Conclusion The majority of ‘extra’ piglets in the larger litters have a lower birth weight BUT Even in large litters, there are a good proportion of pigs with good wean weights Overall, numbers of pigs in the litter outweigh the negative impact of poorer pig performance due to more pigs of lower birth weight Improving weaning weight will improve margin over finisher feed cost at a ratio of 1.46. There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.

Overall Conclusion The growth check of pigs can be overcome albeit with unconventional methods Increasing feed intake immediately after weaning will improve growing pigs performance Pigs with low birth weight can achieve a good wean weight And their subsequent performance is improved Between litter sizes of 11 and 19, every extra piglet born can increase margin over feed costs by on average £44.

Acknowledgements Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland Pig Regen Ltd Pig unit staff at AFBI Hillsborough There are various uses for refined glycerol –cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries but the glycerol released from the transestification process is known as crude glycerol and is not 100% pure. Typically, crude glycerol contains approx 85% glycerol with the remaining components being water, free fatty acids, Na or K and small quantities of methanol. It is expensive to refine this crude glycerol to analytical grade, and therefore some use for the crude glycerol must be found. It has been proposed that glycerol could be used as an energy source in livestock diets and while there has not been a great deal of work conducted on the use of glycerol for pigs one recent study from the States concluded that “crude…”. These workers calculated that glycerol had a DE value of 14 MJ/kg.