Using Feed Budgets to Improve Profitability

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Using Feed Budgets to Improve Profitability

• Dr. Bob Thaler
• South Dakota State University

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Feed Budgeting

• Pig feed intake can be calculated off of a lean
  growth curve

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Feed Budgeting

• That does not take into consideration feed loss
  (dust, wastage, spoilage)
• Actual feed delivered feed consumed feed
  wastage
• Different between operations

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Feed Intake

• Feed intake is not constant in an operation
• Varies with season
• However, there is a constant relationship between
  feed intake and gain
• consistent amount of feed required per kg of
  gain
• If we know the amount of gain, then we also know
  the amount of feed need to achieve it

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• Therefore, feed budgets are developed off of
  cumulative gain of an operation (by hand)
• Data then converted to an Excel spreadsheet a
  curve is developed so budgets can be adjusted
• Ideally, want to develop a unique budget/curve
  for each operation

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Excel Spreadsheet
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Feed Intake Curve
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Feed Budgeting

• Designed to ensure the right amount of each diet
  gets to the pigs
• Assumes all pigs need the same amount of feed to
  reach a certain weight even if days vary
• Diet switches are based on amount of feed
  consumed, not on guesses of pig weight

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Feed Budgeting

• Results in more accurate phase feeding
• The tracking of feed deliveries from one location
  leads to improved accuracy of feed records

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Creating a Feed Budget using Standardized Data

• Use a table developed by Kansas State University
• Will fit most production operations

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Creating a Feed Budget

• Find average weight of a group of pigs going into
  the barn
• On the table, find out amount of feed for that
  weight

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Creating a Feed Budget

• Determine at what weight that phase will be done
• On the table, find out the amount of feed listed
• Subtract starting feed amount from ending feed
  amount

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Creating a Feed Budget

• This gives you the feed necessary for 1 pig in
  that phase
• Take that feed amount times the number of pigs in
  the barn to get the total amount of feed required
  by all the pigs.

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Example Feed Budget

• How much feed will you need to budget for if you
  need to feed 600 pigs from 70-130 lbs?

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End
Start
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Example Feed Budget

• 70 lb pigs have eaten 115 lbs of feed
• 130 lb pigs have eaten 269 lbs of feed
• Therefore, in the 70-130 lb phase, each pig eats
  154 lbs of feed (269 - 115 154)

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Example Feed Budget

• Total feed required for the 600 head barn for the
  70-130 lb phase is 92,400 lbs or 42 metric tons
  (600 154 92,400)
• This is based off of a 3.0 feedgain from 50 to
  250 lbs

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Creating a Unique Feed Budget for Your Operation

• Select 6 groups of pigs for each gender
• Weigh 3 or 4 random pens in the group to get an
  estimate of pig weight
• Track all feed deliveries to those groups

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Creating a Feed Budget

• Get weights on at least 5 different times
  throughout the growth period
• As early as late as possible
• Inventory feed in the feeders and bulk bins on
  each weigh-day so know amount of feed eaten in
  each period

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Creating a Feed Budget

• Try to take the 6 groups past the weight you
  normally market them
• Keep records on disease outbreaks type of diets
  fed per period
• Put together curve off of an Excel spreadsheet

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Example Feed Budget

• With a least 5 data points, develop a feed intake
  curve for your farm using an X-Y scatter-plot
  graph
• Plot feed intakes using desired weight breaks

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Developing a Lean Growth Curve

• If ultrasonically scan weigh the pigs
  individually for fat thickness and loin eye area
  at each of the weigh days, can get a lean growth
  curve for your operation
• From that will get lysine levels

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Feed Budget Summary

• Can use standard data or develop your own
• Aids in proper phase feeding
• Easier to track arrange feed deliveries
• More accurate feed records