How to reduce feeding costs

Feed is the single largest expense in pig production, often accounting for 60–70% of total production costs. Managing feed efficiency and cost is therefore critical to improving profitability and long-term sustainability. Below are five expert strategies that can help producers reduce feed costs without compromising growth performance or animal health.

1. Work with Feeding Specialists to Optimize Feed Formulation

Collaborating with a qualified animal nutritionist or feeding specialist is one of the most effective ways to reduce feed costs while maintaining optimal pig performance. These professionals have the technical expertise and access to formulation software that can balance diets precisely for energy, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals — all while minimizing unnecessary expenses.

A feeding specialist can:

• Design least-cost rations based on the latest ingredient prices and availability, ensuring that every nutrient requirement is met efficiently.
• Identify cost-effective ingredient substitutions, such as incorporating alternative protein or energy sources that maintain performance but reduce costs.
• Provide ongoing feed evaluations and adjustments as pigs grow or as market conditions change, preventing over- or under-feeding.

By investing in professional feed advice, producers often achieve better feed efficiency, improved growth rates, and significant savings — results that far outweigh the cost of consultation.

2. Implement Phase Feeding Programs

Pigs have different nutrient requirements at each stage of growth. Feeding a single diet throughout the production period often results in nutrient wastage.

• Phase feeding involves dividing the growth period into several phases, each with a diet precisely matched to the pigs’ needs.
• Moving from a two-phase to a four-phase feeding program can reduce feed costs by 3–5% while maintaining growth performance.
• Split-sex feeding can further enhance efficiency, as barrows and gilts have different nutrient requirements.

3. Improve Nutrient Utilization with Feed Additives

Enhancing the digestibility and absorption of nutrients is a practical way to lower overall feed costs. Feed additives such as enzymes, probiotics, and organic acids can help pigs make better use of the nutrients already present in their diets, reducing the need for expensive ingredients.

• Enzymes can increase the availability of nutrients like phosphorus, protein, and energy from plant-based ingredients.
• Probiotics and other gut health enhancers support a balanced intestinal environment, improving feed conversion and reducing the incidence of digestive problems.
• Organic acids can help maintain feed hygiene and promote optimal digestion, particularly in young pigs.

By improving nutrient utilization, these additives help maximize the value of every kilogram of feed, supporting both performance and profitability.

‍