1. Feeding
Swine

2. Introduction
There are two main factors that determine whether a person is profitable in the swine industry
1. # of pigs weaned per sow per year
2. feed efficiency
Large corporate farms currently wean an average of pigs per female per year.

3. How many?
Females should be bred and managed to produce a minimum of 2.3 liters per year.

4. Selecting Feeds for Swine
Feed costs range from 55-70% of the total cost of raising hogs.
Combining the right kinds of feed in a well-balanced ration is one of the most important tasks of a hog producer.
The nutrient needs of hogs include energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water.

5. Energy Feeds Corn is the basic energy feed used in hog rations.
It is high in digestible carbohydrates, low in fiber, and palatable.
Corn is about 8.8% protein.

6. Energy Feeds Barley- good substitute for corn.
Has a higher fiber content so is less digestible than corn, but more protein
Like corn lacks some of the essential amino acids and should be supplemented with a protein supplement.
Not quite as palatable

7. Energy Feeds
Oats- more protein than corn, but poorer quality protein. High fiber content.
Potatoes- most carbs, heavier hogs make better use, take 4X as much potatoes as corn to equal the same feed value
Bakery Wastes- include stale bread, crumbs, cookies, crackers; average 10% protein

8. Plant Proteins
Soybean oil meal % protein content, excellent quality of protein, most widely used protein source for hogs, is very palatable to hogs
Whole soybeans- about 37% protein, higher in energy and lower in protein than oil meal, cannot feed raw soybeans to hogs due enzyme reactions

9. Animal Proteins
Tankage & Meat Scraps % protein, high content of calcium and phosphorous, not near as palatable as soybean meal
Meat & Bone Meal- 50% protein, amount of bone contained in the mix determines the feeding value
Fish Meal % protein, excellent quality, high in minerals and vitamins and is very palatable, but expensive

10. Minerals
Four major minerals and six trace minerals are frequently added to hog rations.
Major: calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and chlorine
Trace: zinc, iron, copper, selenium, manganese, and iodine
Trace minerals are often found in commercial protein supplements or trace-mineralized salts

11. Vitamins
Many of the vitamins required by hogs are already present in the feeds used in hog rations
Vitamins that must be added to the ration are: A, D, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, panothenic acid, choline, and vitamin B12.

12. Water Most important nutrient in all animals diet.
Should be available at all times.
Should be fresh, clean, and no colder than 45 F
Should be checked periodically for nitrate content
Average sow = 3.5 gallons/day

13. Additives Increase efficiency in hog production.
Enable pigs to grow at a faster rate, improve feed conversion, and reduce disease stress
Feed tag instructions must be carefully followed in the use of additives. Withdrawal times must be observed when marketing hogs.