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Report no. 282

Abstract
Constant amino acid content in the feed in the entire growth period was compared to a weekly adjustment of the feed’s amino acid content to the pigs’ expected requirement (multi phase feeding).

The feed was fed in dry feed dispensers according to approximate ad libitum via computer controlled feeding systems. The test was carried out in two sectioned finisher herds and comprised a total of 2,446 pigs per group.

Phase feeding significantly reduced the pigs’ daily gain by 17 g on average, but had no significant effect on their feed intake. The feed consumption was significantly higher in the test group in herd A, but not in herd B. In both groups, lean meat percentage dropped significantly in the test group by an average of 0.5 percentage units. There was no difference between the groups in percent dead and rejected pigs.

The pigs’ discharge of nitrogen was reduced by approx. 11% in herd A and 14% in herd B when phase feeding was used. There was no significant difference in water consumption between the two groups.

When phase feeding was used, gross margin was reduced by approx. DKK15 per produced pig in herd A and approx. DKK8 in herd B.

Technically, phase feeding may work, but it is uncertain how much the amino acid allocation can be reduced without reducing the production results. Phase feeding is yet interesting due to the possible “spin-offs” such as lower feed expenses, reduced discharge of phosphorus and optimum utilization of growth promoters. Financially, the simple phase feeding systems are preferred over the more costly computer controlled systems, unless you already have a liquid feed computer.

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