PSII-22 Impact of stocking density and number of pigs per feeder space with wet/dry feeders: an economic analysis

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the economically most profitable stocking density (SDEN) and the number of pigs per feeder space (PF) with a Crystal Springs wet/dry single-space double-sided feeder model F1-115. Data from a trial was used to model the optimal value. The initial trial included 3182 pigs from three consecutive grow-finish groups. The experimental treatments were designed as a two by three factorial (SDEN of 0.65 or 0.78 m2/pig with PF of 10, 13, or 16). Each pen was equipped with one double-sided wet/dry feeder, 37.5 cm wide, with one nipple drinker. Pigs with less floor space allowance had reduced ADG (1.00 versus 1.02 kg/d, P = 0.002) with improved G:F (0.402 versus 0.397, P = 0.039). Overall, ADG had a quadratic relationship (P = 0.005) with PF with means of 1.03, 1.01, and 1.01 kg/d for 10, 13, and 16 respectively. The G:F had a quadratic relationship (P = 0.005) with the number of pigs PF with means of 0.395, 0.404, and 0.400 for 10, 13, and 16 respectively. The G:F and ADG data were fitted to a regression equation including SDEN (linear) and PF (linear –quadratic). A pork production cost model was used to evaluate the impact of a range of SDEN (0.65 to 0.758 m2/pig) and PF (10 to 16) on annual profit of a grow-finish barn including feeder cost. Annual profit for a 1200 head grow-finisher was fitted to linear and quadratic regression of SDEN and PF (R2= 0.999). The optimal SDEN was 0.65 m2 per pig and 13 to 14 (13.26) PF. The differences between the maximum and the minimum net income year values for PF and PF were $4055 and $21667 USD respectively. Stocking density had a greater impact than the number of pigs per feeder space.