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Dr Elizabeth Magowan
Growth, feed and economics
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?
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 carcassperformance of pigs with varying birth and wean weights
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
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 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 852b 654a 38.8 <0.001
10 wks - Finish 884b 906bc 888b 857b 698a 34.4 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 852b 654a 38.8 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 852b 654a 38.8 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig growth rate (g/day)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 852b 654a 38.8 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 <0.001
20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 <0.001
20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 <0.001
20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on pig live weight (kg)
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 <0.001
20 wks 87.6b 93.8c 90.0bc 98.6d 68.1a 3.10 <0.001
Effect of birth and wean weight on carcass performance
LL LH HL HH Runts SEDP
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 74.5 1.04 NS
P2 (mm) 12.4bc 12.8c 11.8ab 11.4a 14.9d 0.79 <0.01
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
Weaning stressors = sow removal
new housing and feed system
new social interaction (mixing)
AimTo investigate the separate effects of some of the
stressors imposed at weaning
Identify strategies to reduce the post weaning growth check
Q2 :Is It possible to overcome the post weaning growth check?
Materials and Methods:
In a 2 x 2 x 2 + 2 factorial design the 10 treatments were:
Materials and Methods:
First 2:
Pre weaningCreep feed offered: In a
Hopper OR
On the Floor
Materials and Methods:
2 x 2 :
Pre weaningCreep feed:
Hopper OR
Floor
At weaning pigs:Moved
ORStayed
Materials and Methods:
2 x 2 x 2 :
Pre weaningCreep feed:
Hopper OR
Floor
At weaning pigs:Moved
ORStayed
Post weaning:DMS
ORDMS + Hopper
Materials and Methods:
2 x 2 x 2 : ALL PIGS WERE MIXED
Pre weaningCreep feed:
Hopper OR
Floor
At weaning pigs:Moved
ORStayed
Post weaning:DMS
ORDMS + Hopper
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
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 NS
Day 4 1.77 1.75 0.078 NS
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 NS
Day 3 1.49 1.30 0.074 <0.1
Day 4 1.75 1.77 0.078 NS
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 NS
Day 4 1.72 1.80 0.081 NS
Day 5 1.86 2.06 0.074 <0.1
Day 6 2.57 2.71 0.075 NS
Day 7 3.14 3.30 0.080 NS
Day 8 3.47 3.59 0.083 NS
Effect of feed delivery post weaning on feed intake (kg/pen)
Feed used in the DMS vs the Hopper
Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 80
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
DMSHopper
Kg/
pen
All P<0.001
Q - Should these hoppers be removed on Day 6/7?
Effect of few stressors2 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 0.72 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 NS
Day 5 1.96 2.64 1.88 0.192 <0.1
Day 6 2.64 3.03 2.65 0.179 NS
Day 7 3.22 3.65 3.50 0.215 NS
Day 8 3.53 4.31 3.94 0.229 NS
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 <0.001
Wn-10 479 550 495 12.4 <0.01
8 Day intake vs 10 week weight gain
R² = 0.3728
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
22.0
24.0
26.0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500
10 w
eek
wei
ght
gain
(kg
)
Feed intake per pig (g) in first 8 days post weaning
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
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
Q3 Are large litters worth it?Large litters =
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
The stepsAFBI 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
Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Perc
enta
ge o
f pi
gs (
%)
28 day weight (kg)
11
13
Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Perc
enta
ge o
f pi
gs (
%)
28 day weight (kg)
11
13
15
17
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Perc
enta
ge o
f pi
gs (
%)
28 day weight (kg)
11
13
15
17
19
Wean weight of pigs based on original litter size
Birth of pigs based on original litter size
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
<0.75 0.76 - 1 1.01 -1.25
1.26 - 1.5 1.51 -1.75
1.76 - 2 2+
No.
of p
igs
per
litter
Birth weight (kg)
11
13
15
17
19
Performance based on wean weight
Wean weight (kg)10 week
weight (kg)20 week
weight (kg) Finishing FCRFinisher 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 sizeNo born
aliveTotal 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
Litter sizeNo born
aliveTotal 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
40
45
50
55
60
65
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Mar
gin
over
fini
sher
fee
d (£
)
Wean weight (kg)
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.
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 Developmentfor Northern Ireland
Pig Regen Ltd
Pig unit staff at AFBI Hillsborough
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