| In
order to use external web links and database resources of this site, you must
become a member. Membership is free, please use the registration form on
the top menu. If you are already a member please
login below:
|
The term feed conversion efficiency (FCE) is utilised to indicate the quantity of feed required to lay down a unit of body tissue. Carcass feed conversion efficiency can also be used to indicate
the quantity of feed required to lay down a unit of carcass tissue. Both terms are used as indicators of the performance standard of a production system. The limitations of this method of assessment
are detailed below.
Quality of feed:
The higher the quality of the feed, in general, the better the animal will convert it to body tissue. The more palatable the feed the higher the intake. The higher the intake the better the
conversion rate. But the higher the quality of the feed the more expensive it is. Therefore it is essential for each farm to get the correct balance and produce each lb. of growth at minimum feed
cost not necessarily the best FCE. More Info.
The density of a diet, i.e. the amount of nutrients supplied to the animal per unit of diet, will depend on the intake of the animal. The lower the intake the higher the density. The palatability
and digestibility of the diet are critical with the very young hog as his digestive system has to be developed from a milk diet to a totally cereal-based diet. The young animal has also the
restriction of stomach capacity, he is in the habit of getting fed a little and often (10mls every hour) while suckling but at weaning it must cope with solid food and be retrained to eat it when
hungry. The engorgement of the stomach must be avoided with the young animal. More Info.
The ability of the animal to convert food to tissue growth deteriorates with age. The suckling hog can convert at .9: 1 (.9lbs of milk solids produce 1lb of tissue gain) whereas the older animal
nearing sale weight will convert at 4: 1. This deterioration in conversion is the combination of using cheaper feeds as the animal grows and the physiological changes within the animal.
Top of Page
Growth rate:
The faster the growth the better the conversion efficiency. The animals with the highest lean meat deposition rates that achieve their potential growth rates will produce much better food
conversion efficiencies throughout their life than underachievers with the same potential. More Info.
Lean meat growth is very efficient, it requires much less energy than fat deposition. Muscle is 78 to 80% water and this ingredient is relatively cheap on most units but I would advise that a lot
more attention is given to the water delivery system ensuring cleanliness, accessibility, delivery rate, and low wastage. Hogs require each day a certain level of nutrient intake to survive. This
requirement is called "maintenance" and it increases with body weight. The higher the hog's intake above its maintenance requirement the better the efficiency, if the animal only eats enough for
maintenance then there is no growth. If the intake is below maintenance levels e.g. at weaning, then the animal will lose weight and if the intake is not increased will eventually die.
Feed Conversion Rate is only a measure of the ability of the hog to convert your diets into growth in your conditions. Factors that affect growth rate and feed consumption and utilisation will
also affect efficiency of conversion. It is of limited value in assessing the overall performance of a farm and is a dangerous tool in comparing different farms.
Top of Page
Cost per unit of gain:
This is a much better figure to utilise in assessing hog performance. Hog production is a commercial business and must be managed as such. Owners and managers should have an estimate of the
individual costs incurred each month in the running of the farm. The average cost of labour, heat and light, etc should be estimated and checked. Each month the cost per unit of gain can be
calculated. If the accounts are completed on a yearly, biannual, quarterly, or monthly basis then your estimated cost figures can be adjusted to the correct levels as detailed in the accounts.
Total costs to run farm for a period / the total weight sold = cost per unit of gain.
Cost per unit of gain compared to returns per unit of sale will indicate the profit or loss situation.
To increase profitability or to survive bad times ('99) normally sends farmers looking at their costs and bills. There are probably some areas where expenditure can be trimmed but the question
must always be foremost in your mind "Will this cut back affect total weight sold?" Any cut back that affects production will have a disastrous affect on profitability. Remember the proverb "A penny
(cent) wise and a pound (dollar) foolish".
Top of Page
Formulae:
Weaner FCE:
The total quantity of feed both sow and hog (fed to hogs prior to transfer to fattening)delivered to the farm divided by the total weight of hogs transferred.
Calculation of Weaner FCE:
Average Stock (As):
Stock of weaners calculated on a daily basis:
Opening Stock (Os) minus deaths (D) and transfers(sales) (T) add piglets born (B) = Closing Stock (Cs)
(Os + B)- (D + T) = Cs
Add the daily closing stocks for a period and divide by the number of days in the period = Average stock of weaners.
(1Cs + 2Cs + 3Cs + 4Cs + 5Cs + 6Cs)/6 = As
Age at transfer or Days in unit (Ad):
Total sales(transfers) (Ts) for a period divided by the number of days in the period (D)= average number sold(transfered) per day for the period (Sd).
Average Stock (As) for the period divided by the number sold per day (Sd) for the period = average number of days in the unit (age at transfer) (Ad)
Ts / D = Sd : As / Sd = Ad
Average Daily Gain (ADG):
Sale (transfer) weight (Sw) less purchase weight (Pw) divided by the average number of days in the unit (age at transfer) (Ad) = Average Daily Gain (ADG)
(Sw - Pw) / Ad = ADG
Average Feed Intake (AFI):
Opening Stock of feed (estimate of meal in the storage bins) at start of period (Om) add purchases for the period (Pm) subtract the closing stock of meal in the bins(silos)(Cm)
= total feed fed for the period (Um)
Divide by the number of days in the period (D) = average daily feed used for the unit (Ud)
Divide by the average stock (As) = average daily feed intake per pig (AFI).
(Om + Pm) - Cm = Um : Um / D = Ud : Ud / As =
AFI
Weaner FCE:
Average Feed Intake divided by Average Daily Gain = FCE
AFI / ADG = FCE
Fattener FCE:
The total quantity of feed (fed to hogs in fattening)delivered to the farm divided by the total weight of hogs sold less the weight of the hogs transferred (purchased).
Calculation of Fattener FCE:
As for weaner FCE calculate:
- Average Stock
- Days in Unit
- Average Daily Gain
- Average Feed Intake
- Average Feed Intake divided by Average Daily Gain = FCE
Top of Page
Farm conversion:
The total quantity of feed used on the farm divided by the total weight of hogs sold (less purchases).
Calculation of Farm FCE:
Top of Page
Useful links:
Research Articles on Swine Nutrition:
Nutrition Index Index
Research Articles on Swine Management:
Management Index
Research Articles on Behaviour:
Behaviour Index
Research Articles on Disease:
Disease Index
Research Articles on Health:
Health Index
Top of Page
General Research Articles:
Factors affecting Feed Conversion Efficiency
Ontario Agriculture
Effects of Genetics and Marketing Factors on Feed Efficiency
University of Illinois
Practical Swine Feeding Ideas
University of Georgia
Nutrient Needs of High Lean Pigs
Manitoba Agriculture
Building, Environment Effects on Feed Efficiency and Feed Consumption
University of Illinois
Particle size affect on swine performance
Kansas State University
Top of Page
|
