20 How do Producers and Nutritionists Determine Which Levers to Pull to Optimize Feed Cost and Profitability Under Differing Economic Conditions?

Abstract

Abstract Numerous factors including geopolitical unrest, supply chain disruption, government policies, and hyperinflation have resulted in a global increase in the cost of feed ingredients. Pork producers and swine nutritionists continuously answer the tricky question of how to best manage feed costs to maximize profitability under an everchanging economic landscape. Applied nutritionists must design and implement feeding programs that take into account and balance several key nutrition levers including energy, SID lysine to energy ratio, SID amino acid to lysine ratios, and feed processing along with factors including ingredient prices, pork price, barn space, feed mill throughput, and pig livability. Biological and economical models are developed and utilized to assist with prediction of key performance and profitability outcomes leveraging results from published and unpublished controlled research trials along with historical production data. The objective of this presentation is to provide insights into the decision-making process for feeding program design and implementation under current and theoretical economic situations.