Higher profitability with intelligent feeding

The new process, known as Intelligent Feeding, was developed by US-based Feedlogic Systems, Inc. The
process uses a unique delivery system and control software in the barn which
allow a producer to blend commercially available diets and more closely match
the animals’ actual needs. This differs from the more common approach of feeding
one diet for a longer period.
Initial trials at a commercial finisher farm
showed that blending diets achieved higher quality carcasses and reduced feed
costs. Overall feed costs for test pigs fed blended diets were 5.7% or €2.04/pig
lower. Combined feed costs reductions and carcass bonuses on test pigs provided
€4/pig in greater profitability.

Blending during the first ten
weeks also resulted in a measurable reduction in nutrient (nitrogen and
phosphate) levels of test pigs, indicating control pigs were being overfed these
nutrients. Since more excess nutrients are typically excreted in urine – which
was not tested – it is likely that control pigs excreted even higher levels of
nutrients than indicated.

The company sees a growing demand
for processes such as Intelligent Feeding as feed costs rise. The demand for
corn and soy for fuel over the coming years will increase their cost to pig
producers. We know that more producers will be looking for alternative
ingredients to provide cost-effective sources of energy. To be
more profitable, they will need to have tighter control of what is being
fed on a day-to-day basis in their barns. according to Drew Ryder, CEO of Feedlogic
Systems.