Abstract
Effects of Space Allowance and Marketing Strategy on Growth Performance of Pigs Raised to Heavy Market Weights
Highlights
Space requirements for growing pigs are typically established by using the k-value determined by Gonyou et al.5 They estimated that every decrease in k less than 0.0336 resulted in decreased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) for grow-finish pigs reared on fully-slatted flooring
A total of 976 pigs (PIC 327 × L42, initially 48.6 ± 3.4 lb body weight [BW]) were used in a 160-d growth study to determine the influence of space allowance and marketing strategy on growth performance of pigs raised to heavy market weights
When comparing treatments with multiple marketing events to those with similar initial stocking density (23 pigs per pen), there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.05) for overall Average daily gain (ADG) or ADFI; overall feed efficiency was improved (P < 0.05) for pigs initially stocked at 7.1 ft2/pig and marketed four times compared to both treatments that initially allowed 7.7 ft2/pig, regardless of marketing structure
Summary
Space requirements for growing pigs are typically established by using the k-value determined by Gonyou et al. They estimated that every decrease in k less than 0.0336 resulted in decreased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) for grow-finish pigs reared on fully-slatted flooring. In addition to adjusting the initial stocking density of a pen, topping is another strategy that producers implement to provide finishing pigs increased floor space. This method involves the removal of one or more of the heaviest pigs in the pen, prior to the final marketing event. This additional space allows the remaining pigs to reach the target market weight and provides more consistent weights at the packing plant, resulting in fewer packer discounts for variability.
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